VARIOUS INSECTS. 225 



as before, and all of them somewhat convex ; the plates were 

 supported by pillars of much less strength than those of No. 1. 

 The substance of which the nest was constructed was of a 

 lighter colour, and there was but one single perfect female in 

 the whole hive. In every other respect this nest agreed with 

 No. 1. On examining the perfect insects, I found them to 

 belong to a totally different species from V. vulgaris ; they 

 were smaller, and of a brighter colour. As I was examining 

 the cells of this nest, one of those which had been covered in 

 was gently opened, and the black antenna? of a male Ripiphorus 

 paradoxus protruded through the opening. Its appearance 

 in emerging was truly singular ; first the antennae, then the 

 head, the thorax, and abdomen ; at last, when quite clear of 

 its prison, it ran about with amazing celerity. I had shortly 

 afterwards the pleasure of seeing a female Ripiphorus escape 

 in the same manner. 



No 3 was, in every respect, similar to No. 1. containing 

 seven plates, and of this the perfect insect was the common 

 wasp. 



No. 4 was also similar, and was an amazingly large speci- 

 men, the central plate measuring upwards of fourteen inches 

 in diameter. The larvae, when in a state of rest, lay with 

 their heads bent somewhat downward, but on moving anything 

 before the cell which contains them, they stretch out their 

 necks and open their mouths, reminding you of a nest of young 

 birds. If a fly or piece of bread is given them, they emit a 

 small portion of very transparent fluid from the mouth, and 

 then attempt to eat, but I could never ascertain that the food 

 diminished. I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



J. W. Bond. 



4, Lenham ' s-luildings, Friars-mount, 

 Church-street, Bethnal-green. 



