THE MUD WASP, 



285 



in order to show the manner in which the winged artificers sus- 

 pended their wonderful home. As is always the case with 

 pensile nests, the foundation is laid at the top, thus carrying 

 out Dean Swift's suggestion for a new patent in architecture. 



A large quantity of clay is worked round the chosen branch, 

 and made very strong, in order to sustain the heavy weight 

 which will be suspended from it. This clay foundation is 

 wonderfully hard, though very brittle, this latter quality being 



