i6o STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



The wasp which makes this nest is bee-Hke in form, and very 

 small, not a quarter of an inch in length, and bearing some re- 

 semblance to those tiny solitary bees that are seen so plentifully 

 upon dandelions and various umbelliferous flowers. 



The nest is always hung near the ground, quite as low as that 

 of the Myrapetra, and is suspended from the slender twigs and 

 long, delicate leaves which are woven into its substance, and in 

 many places pierce completely through the nest, and project 

 through the outer covering. It is, however, destitute of the 

 sharp projections which guard the home of the latter insect, and 

 as the outer wall is both thin and fragile, it would fall an easy 

 prey to any insect-eating animal that might take a fancy to it. 

 I cannot but think that this utterly defenceless state of the 

 Nectarinia's nest affords a proof that the spikes upon the habi- 

 tation of the Myrapetra are not for the purpose of defending 

 the nest against the attacks of enemies. 



As is the case with the Myrapetra, the cells are made with 

 walls much firmer than those of our English wasps or hornet, 

 which are only intended to hold successive generations of young, 

 and in consequence are made of a comparatively flimsy material, 

 only strengthened very slightly at the entrance. Were honey 

 to be placed in the cell of any known British wasp it would 

 immediately soak into the walls of the cell, and thence escape by 

 slow degrees, but as the young grub, which is the only tenant 

 of the cell, is without feet and is not in the least formed foi 

 locomotion, a very slight partition is sufficient to control its 

 movements. 



The grub does nothing but hold to the end of the cell with 

 its piercers, open its mouth for food, and occasionally protrude 

 or withdraw itself in a very slight degree ; and its utter immo- 

 bility in the larval and pupal states affords a strange contrast to 

 the restless and fussy activity which actuates it after it han 

 attained its perfect form. 



A CREATURE is upon our list of pensile insects, which may 

 also be reckoned among the social or parasitic insects, but which 

 makes its habitation in such a manner that its proper place is 



