SOME CURIOUS NESTS. 605 



through it. When cut, it is found to be almost distinct from the 

 nest which it covers, being only attached to the projecting ends 

 of the leaf-stems, and so slightly fastened to them that it can be 

 lifted off without injury, only leaving a few threads adherent to 

 the stem. 



We now turn back the severed flap, and the body of the nest 

 comes to view. In the dry state the leaf-stems are so hard that 

 they require a strong and sharp pair of scissors to penetrate them. 

 I nearly broke a moderately fine pair of scissors in a vain endeav- 

 or to open the nest. Even in their fresh state the stems must 

 have been tolerably strong, and the architect must have possessed 

 a powerful pair of jaws for their severance. The stems are cross- 

 ed upon each other, much as confectioners cross sticks of choco- 

 late, so that the ends slightly protrude, and a hollow space is left 

 in the centre. Pressed tightly among the sticks are fragments of 

 leaves, not torn from the small delicate portions, but cut com- 

 pletely through the largest nervures, and seeming, indeed, as if 

 the strongest parts of the leaves were intentionally selected. In 

 the specimens now before me the upper surface of the leaf is al- 

 ways toward the exterior of the nest. 



We now take a very strong and sharp pair of scissors, push 

 one point into the nest, and carefully cut a flap corresponding 

 with the severed portion of the silken cover. The flap is easily 

 turned back, and discloses a smooth and silken lining, much re- 

 sembling that which forms the cover. The lining, however, is 

 softer than the cover, and does not crackle when bent. Thus we 

 see that the nest consists of four distinct layers : first, the soft 

 silken lining, then a cover of leaf- fragments, then a protecting 

 ehevaux-de-frise of stems, and lastly a cover of silk, so that the 

 inhabitant is as well protected from weather and foes as can be 

 imagined. 



The next proceeding is to discover the architects of the nests. 

 This is easily done, for some of the architects have assumed their 

 perfect state during the voyage home, while others are preserved 

 by spirits, in which their discoverer has thoughtfully placed some 

 specimens. 



Here I may be allowed to mention that the example set by Mr. 

 W. J.Tomkinson, who sent over these interesting objects, is one 

 which is well worthy of imitation. Residents in other countries 

 are too apt to forget the interests of their own, and they soon be- 

 come familiar with the objects which at first are new and strange 



