POLISTES. 



295 



in the illustration is one of the most remarkable, and so elegant 

 is the form of the combs, and so singular the method of their at- 

 tachment, that I have had them drawn nearly of the natural size. 

 Generally, the shape of the comb is nearly round, as is seen in 

 the upper figure of the illustration. The cells are remarkable 

 for their radiating form, the bases being a trifle smaller than the 

 mouths, a peculiarity which would hardly be noticed in a single 

 cell, but which produces the spreading outline when a number of 

 them are massed together. 



Nests of Polifltes. 



Some of the cells, those in the middle for example, are much 

 longer than the others, and in the specimens in the British Mu- 

 seum many of them are closed at the mouth, showing that the in- 

 sect is within, and has not yet attained its perfect state. Those 

 on the circumference, however, are much shorter, and are entirely 

 empty, not having been yet occupied. It is very possible that 



