2G6 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



a far better explanation is not in store, and I cannot see why 

 the Myrapetra should stand in need of such protection, when 

 the nest of the Nectarinia, which is placed in precisely the same 

 conditions, is perfectly smooth and defenceless. 



One use of the projections is evidently for the double purpose 

 of concealing and protecting the entrance. On looking at the 

 nest from above, no entrance is visible, and it is not until after 

 a close examination that the openings are found. They are con- 

 cealed under a row of the projections, which overhang them like 

 the eaves of a house, and effectually keep off the rains which 

 fall in such heavy torrents during tropical storms. The material 

 of which these projections .are made is the same as that of which 

 the walls of the nest are built, except that it is very much thicker 

 and harder, the various layers being hardly distinguisliable, even 

 with a good magnifier. 



The interior of the nest is as remarkable as its exterior. 



When cut open longitudinally, an operation which was care- 

 fully performed by Mr. White, a very curious sight presents 

 itself. The nest is filled with combs, all very much curved, and 

 these curves accommodating themselves beautifully to the gene- 

 ral form of the nest. At the top is a nearly globular mass of 

 brown paper-like substance, which is apparently the nucleus 

 of the nest. The first comb closely surrounds this globular 

 mass, leaving only a small interval between them, so that it 

 forms part of a hollow sphere, and a section of it would present 

 a form like that of the capital letter G laid on its back. 



The rest of the combs follow in regular order, the curve of 

 each becoming shallower, until the last is but slightly depressed 

 in the centre. They are carried to the sides of the nest and 

 thereto attached, except in a few places, where an open space is 

 left between the edge of the comb and the side of the nest, so 

 as to allow the wasps to have access to the different tiers of 

 cells. As is the case with most of the wasp tribe, the tiers are 

 single, and the mouths of the combs are all downwards. 



The depth of the cells, and consequently the thickness of the 

 combs, varies according to their position in the nest, the upper 

 cells being the largest, and those below the smallest. The longest 

 cells are from five to seven lines in length, and the shortest, 

 about two lines. Tlie material of wliich they are made is the 

 same as that of which tlie exterior is formed, and is of quite as 



