460 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



The nests of these insects have some resemblance to those of 

 certain Polybiae which have already been described. They are, 

 however, of much greater size, and as they are rather heavy, are 

 affixed to tolerably strong branches. One such nest, which is 

 now in the British Museum, has been built upon a post, nearly en- 

 circling it above, and sloping off to a rounded point, nearly two 

 feet below the highest portion. Another is fixed to a rather 

 stout, straight, and upright branch. The nests are dark brown in 

 color, and as they are fixed to objects of a similar hue, are very 

 inconspicuous. The insect which makes this nest is nearly as 

 large as the English hornet. 



The walls of the nests made by insects of this genus are very 

 thin and fragile, not unlike those of the structure built by Polyb- 

 ia sedula. In one nest the cover is remarkably elegant, being 

 shaped like the half of a melon cut longitudinally, and moulded 

 into ribs which run transversely across the nest, and have a gen- 

 tle and regular curve. These ribs project about a quarter of an 

 inch, and are nearly half an inch wide, and are as round and reg- 

 ular as if they were produced by cords wound upon the combs. 



The insect which made this nest is of a deep steel-blue color, 

 looking nearly black in a dim light. The head is rather large, 

 and the abdomen is rounded and small, being connected with the 

 thorax by a foot-stalk of moderate length. 



The two remarkable nests which are figured in the large illus- 

 tration come from different parts of the world, but, as they are 

 similar in many respects, they are placed close to each other. 



The long, flask-like nest was brought from Mexico by Owen 

 Eees, Esq., in 1834. Even before it was opened its structure was 

 evidently full of interest. The color is dull white, not unlike 

 parchment, and the texture of the materials is nearly as hard, stiff, 

 and close as that substance. When placed under the microscope, 

 it is seen to be composed of a vast number of shining threads, 

 crossing and recrossing each other in every direction, and pro- 

 ducing a material like very thin, but stiff felt. 



It was suspended to a branch, but could not swing in the wind, 

 because a twig descended into the neck and prevented any lateral 

 motion. At the bottom of the nest there is a small and nearly 

 circular aperture, through which the insects are enabled to make 

 their exit and entrance. The length of the nest is about eight 

 inches. 



