232 Transactions.—Z. oology. 
and then narrowed to three-quarters of an inch down to the bottom.” 
How they occur and numbers. 
They occur in large numbers, scattered more or less all over the ground, 
but more frequently in colonies in favoured spots facing the sun. I have 
counted seven near each other, within a radius of two feet, and on another 
oceasion, five within a radius of a foot, and, again, seven within a foot and 
a-half; and almost invariably, in digging out a nest, we cut across others 
which we had not detected on the surface. In any of the localities I have 
mentioned they are to be got literally by the hundred. They are more 
numerous where clay is the subsoil, or at any rate they are more easily seen 
there from the discoloration caused by their excavations, and very hard- 
baked clay does not seem to discourage them, as you will see by the nest 
No. 4, which was just as hard and compact when it was dug out as itis now. 
Loose friable soil, or even soil that has been stirred and cultivated with the 
plough, does not inconvenience these clever engineers ; but it is almost im- 
possible to obtain specimens of nests from such soil. Indeed, I may say, 
that the work of obtaining specimens of the nests is at all times one of con- 
siderable labour, patience, and often of disappointment, and occupies a great 
deal of time. I have tried stuffing the nests with wool, as recommended by 
some authorities; but found the experiment not satisfactory, as you will see 
by the specimen No. 28. This is, however, the only way I know of to 
obtain nests in loose friable soil. 
Lining of the Nests. 
The silk lining of the nests I always found continuous to the bottom of 
the holes, with the exception of those at the Bobbin, where it generally 
ended about two-thirds of the way down. The silken cloth was generally 
tougher and thicker here than elsewhere, being more like fine leather than 
spider’s web. It was generally thickest at themouth, and became thin as it 
extended down the hole, till it ended altogether before reaching the bottom. 
Some parts of the nests were double lined, the old part of the nest being 
outside and the new patch inside. This probably indicates’ where some 
weakness in the wall of the tunnel had shown itself, or where some water 
found access to the dwelling of this sturdy miner, and how it was shut out 
by a coffer-dam. In nest No. 2, the lining was very thick silk, and 
generally in the Stable Gully the nests are well lined and well woven, 
although they are generally of small size; whilst in the cultivation pad- 
are much thinner and more fragile to handle, even in the case 
ens. This is all the more remarkable, as there the soil is 
loose and friabl >, and has been cultivated, and it is there we would naturally 
expect the toughest and best woven webs, to prevent the soil tumbling in, | 
* Since writing this, Mr. John Reid informs me he has obtained nests three feet deep. 
