2i6 STRANGE DWELLINGS. 



placed in the box, and well supplied with sugar and beer. They 

 immediately began to work, and their first object was to cover 

 the combs with paper. They worked with great rapidity, and in 

 two days had formed a flask-shaped nest, having covered both 

 the combs and the wire, beside plastering large sheets of paper 

 over the sides of the box. They did not attempt to build upon 

 the glass front, because it was frequently moved in order to 

 introduce a supply of sugar. 



As the wasps were building at such a rate, it was evident 

 that they would shortly fill the whole box with a shapeless 

 mass of paper. Another similar box was therefore prepared, 

 and the wasps ejected by tapping the box which was already 

 completed. As soon as they were all out, the second box was 

 substituted for the first, and the wasps crowded eagerly into it 

 and again began their labours. In this box they were allowed 

 to remain for a week, and built another nest. The wasps were 

 now transferred to a third box, in which they laboured for four 

 days, and produced a nest somewhat similar to the others, but 

 not quite so symmetrical. 



At this time Mr. Stone fitted up another box with two rows 

 of wire pillars, eight in number, placed with tolerable regularity 

 about two inches apart, and having a piece of comb at the base 

 and summit of each. In this box the wasps remained for 

 fifteen days, and in that time had covered all the wires and 

 most of the combs, and had nearly filled the box with paper. 



In order that a more symmetrical structure might be pro- 

 duced, a fifth box was fitted up with wires arranged in a 

 different manner. Four wires were placed across the box, 

 rather in advance of the middle, and two others in front of 

 them. To all these wires a piece of comb was fixed at the 

 base and summit, but between the two central pillars a short 

 wire was placed, having a piece of comb at its summit only. 

 The wasps were transferred to this box, and in the short space 

 of five days they covered all the combs and wires, and pro- 

 duced an extraordinary structure, looking like a paper imitation 

 of a stalactitic cavern. The insects were ejected from this nest 

 before they had finished their work, and in consequence, a 



