xi\r CONTENTS. 



49. A NEW GALLERY OF PEAGTIGAL SCIENCE. 



On the canal in front are several insects and objects of insect fabrication, 

 such as might have been suggestive to man of the Art of Navigation. 

 Nearest, on the right, rowing itself down the current, is a Boat-fly ; on 

 a line with it, to the left, the egg-boat of a common Gnat; and betwixt 

 them, the raft of a raft-making Spider, bearing its constructor. Closer 

 to the rail appears the diving-bell of the Diving Water-Spider. The 

 case at the back is occupied by various specimens of insect skill, and a 

 few of the tools employed in their construction. On the lowest shelf, 

 to the right, is the nest of the Mason Bee, with its hole of entrance ; 

 cells, the work of a similar insect, appearing in the mortar of two de- 

 tached pieces of wall placed behind it. Next to these, in the compart- 

 ment adjoining, is a fragment of sand-stone, in which are several nests 

 of Mason Wasps, with the leaning or curved towers raised over them in 

 process of excavation. Beside these, is a piece of wood tunnelled, for 

 her nurseries, by a Violet Carpenter Bee, each divided into cells by 

 partitions of cemented sawdust, and stored with heaps of pollen. The 

 perforations in the wood are openings to passages which communicate with 

 the cells. Next in order, is another specimen of the same; and nearer 

 to the left is the nest of another Bee Carpenter, also tunnelled in a 

 piece of wood, but divided by partitions of clay, instead of sawdust. 

 The first object to the right, on the shelf above, is the cell, as constructed 

 in earth, of an Earth-Mason Caterpillar. It is open, to show the interior, 

 which is smooth, and lined with silk for the comfort of the chrysalis which 

 lies within. Next, on a piece of wood, and composed of detached frag- 

 ments of the same material, is the cocoon or cell of a caterpillar of the 

 Puss Moth. The next is that of a Goat Moth the winter abode of its 

 long-lived larva in the heart of a tree ; a portion of the wood wherein 

 it is imbedded, being cut away, shows its fabric, a cloth-like substance 

 of mingled silk and raspings of wood. On the upper shelf of all are 

 three tools, used by insect artificers. To the left are the powerful toothed 

 jaws, constituting chisel, plane, and forceps of a Mason Wasp. Next, in 

 the centre, is the compound tool, consisting of an auger and a pair of 

 files, used by the Tree-hopper, to make grooves in branches for reception 

 of her eggs ; and to the right, is a portion of the saw used by Saw-flies for 

 a similar purpose ........... $ 



