THE HORNKT. 



437 



Mr. S. Stone, whose interesting letter upon the wasp has 

 already been mentioned, tells me that he has been successful in 

 breeding Hornets as well as wasps, and forcing them to build 

 nests much more beautiful than they would have, made if they 

 had been at liberty. 



One nest, when of moderate size, was removed from the head 

 of a tree, and placed in a large glazed box similar to those which 

 have been mentioned in connexion with the wasp. Within the 

 box the Hornets continued their labours, and a most beautiful 

 nest was produced, symmetrical in shape, and variegated with 

 wonderfully rich colours. " Such a nest as that," writes Mr. 

 Stone, " is not produced by Hornets in a general way. They do 

 not trouble- themselves to form much of a covering, especially 

 when a small cavity in the head of a tree is selected, which is 



