424 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



In the same collection there are many more specimens of social 

 nests formed by insects belonging to this genus, two cases being 

 quite filled with them. One is attached to the bark of a tree, 

 and resembles it so closely that it seems to be made of the same 

 substance, this similarity of aspect being evidently intended 

 as a preservative against the attacks of birds and other insect- 

 loving creatures, which would break up the nest, and eat the im- 

 mature and tender grubs. Most of the nests are fixed to leaves, 

 and are different forms, according to the species which made 

 them. They are mostly fixed to the under sides of the leaf, so 

 that the weight causes the leaf to bend and to form a natm-al 

 roof above them. The shape of the nest seems to depend much 

 on the character of the plant to which it is fixed. Those that 

 are fastened to reeds are long and slender, and generally much 

 narrower than the sword-shaped leaf on which they rest. Othei-s, 

 which are fastened to short and broad leaves, adapt themselves 

 so closely to the shape of the leaf, that, if removed, they would 

 enable any one to conjecture the form of the leaf upon which 

 they had been fixed. 



One such nest is very remarkable. In general fonn it bears a 

 singular resemblance to the nest of the fairy martin, which is 

 figured at page 313, though its materials are entirely different. 

 The nest is flask-shaped, and its base is fastened to a leaf which 

 it almost covers. The body of the nest is oval, and the entrance, 

 which is small, is placed at the end of a well-marked neck. The 

 shell of the nest is extremely thin, not in the least like the 

 loose, papery structure of an ordinary wasp-nest, nor the paste- 

 board-like material which defends the nest of the Chartergus. 

 It is rather fragile, and in thickness is almost double that of the 

 paper on which this account is printed. 



The name of the species which builds this curious nest is 

 Polylna sedula, and the specimen was brought from Brazil. 



For the reasons which have been given at the beginning of 

 this chapter, the Hive Bee has been reckoned among the Social 

 Insects. 



The Bee has always been one of the most interesting insects 

 to mankind, on account of the direct benefit which it confers 

 upon the human race. There are many other insects which are 

 in reality quite as useful to us, and indeed are indispensable, 



