167 



December 11, 1838. 



Dr. Bostock in the Chair. 



An extensive collection of Fossil Tertiary Shells, from Italy, was 

 laid on the table, and a letter was read from Dr. Michellotti of Turin, 

 begging the Society's acceptance of them. 



A Wasp's Nest, of very large size, was also exhibited to the Mem- 

 bers present. This nest was sent from Ceylon by the Governor of 

 that island, and was accompanied by the following letter from Lieut. 

 W. WUliams, R.A. 



Colombo, 27th May, 1838. 



" The specimen of the Social Wasp's nest, now on board the 

 barque ' Morning Star,' was found by me in a talipot tree near 

 Colombo in Ceylon : its apex was secured at the junction of two of 

 the smallest leaves of this magnificent tree, and the bottom of the 

 nest was about seventy feet from the ground, at which elevation the 

 leaves began to shoot. 



" It had been abandoned by the wasps, and its exterior walls were 

 much injured by the monsoon rains and storms, which left the ter- 

 races unprotected and unsupported, except by their interior pillars : 

 and the natives were in consequence unable to lower it from such a 

 height without destroying some of the lower terraces. 



" I shall not attempt to enter further on this subject, a structure 

 so well known to naturalists. The appearance of the nest, as it 

 hung upwards of seventy feet from the ground, the shaft to it per- 

 fectly bare ; and the larger leaves (used by the natives as umbrellas 

 and tents) waving over it, presented a very singular appearance : and 

 I hope its remains may reach England in a state of preservation 

 sufficient to satisfy the inspection of the curious. 



" W. Williams, Lieut. R. Artillery." 



A letter was read from Dr. Philip Poey, Corr. Memb. Z.S. dated 

 Havanna, September 28, 1838, accompanying two specimens of 

 Capromys Fournieri, which he begged to present to the Society for 

 the Menagerie. 



The reading of Mr. M*=Clelland's list of new additions to the 

 Fauna of India was resumed by Dr. Horsfield, and some drawings 

 of the new species were exhibited. 



No. LXXII. — Proceedings of the Zouloqical Society. 



