172 MESSRS. C. HORNE AND F. SMITH ON HYMENOPTERA 
PouisTESs stiGMA, Fabr. 
This insect frequents sheltered places, such as the verandas of houses, and is 
extremely common. ‘The description of the comb and the construction of its dwelling, 
as given under P. hebreus, applies also to P. stigma. It does not, however, attack so 
viciously as some others, and stings only when much interfered with. Its cells are 
beautifully regular hexagons, and, although very light, are of the strongest fabric, being 
of a paper made by the insect. In its various stages it bears a great resemblance to 
P. hebreus. August, September, and October are its favourite months for working, 
although it may be seen busily employed at most times during the rains. 
Its food consists of small insects, which it eats and prepares for its young. 
The cells of the females are longer than those of the workers and males, and their 
silken covers project much above the ordinary surface of the comb. 
They are much troubled with Stylops; and I have occasionally bred from their combs 
specimens of small moths, chiefly of the Tineide, several species of which appear to be 
universal feeders. 
VESPA VELUTINA, St. Farg. 
This very handsome wasp builds a huge nest, hanging on the boughs of trees, mostly 
at a great height from the ground. Of its nest there are two handsome specimens in 
the nest-room of the British Museum. The communities are very numerous, and it is 
most dangerous to meddle with their nests. A bullet incautiously put through one 
brings down a swarm of the inhabitants, whose stings are most venomous and often 
dangerous to life. They will follow a party for miles through the densest jungle, and 
are said often to kill animals and, even, men. 
A nest I measured exceeded 4 feet in length, and, when the outer covering was broken 
away, showed range upon range of cells; but the extreme difficulty of bringing it to 
England compelled me to abandon it. 
They frequent flowers and carry off insects of all kinds wherewith to feed their young ; 
and a wall covered with roses at a house in the Himalehs, 6500 feet above the sea, was 
a very favourite resort. They then flew off, often many miles, to their nests. 
Appended (p. 190) is a description by Mr. Smith of an allied species (V. vivax), appa- 
rently new, the habits of which are the same as those of V. velutina. 
VESPA ORIENTALIS, Linn. 
Vespa crnota, Fabr. 
The same notes will apply to both these species, which, I believe, to be already well 
known. They build their nests of prepared earth, strongly impregnated with some 
viscid substance, probably derived from the gums of trees. 
In confirmation of the above, I may remark that I have often seen them sitting appa- 
rently eating the gum of the Acacia (catechu) and also the flowing juice of the Peepul 
