SYNiECA. 439 



The nest that has just been mentioned, was rather deeply 

 imbedded in the tree, and cost no less than six hours of con- 

 tinuous labour, the week of excavation having been begun at 

 eight P.M. and the nest extracted at two a.m. on the following 

 morning. 



In the illustration is seen a portion of a lately begun nest, 

 much reduced in size, as may be conjectured from the dimen- 

 sions of the insects that are crawling upon it. As the arrange- 

 ment of the combs is identical with that of the wasp-nest, the 

 interior is not disclosed. Another reason for showing the exterior 

 of the nest is, that the reader might see how the Hornet forms 

 the paper-like cover, and the manner in which the insects can 

 enter at different parts, instead of having but a single entrance, 

 as is the case with several hyraenopterous nests which have been 

 mentioned. 



In many parts of Brazil there may be seen the social nests 

 of certain hymenopterous insects, which are very aptly termed 

 Synceea, this name being derived from two Greek words, which 

 signify sociality. 



The nests of these insects have some resemblance to those 

 of certain Polybiae, which have already been described. They 

 are, however, of much greater size, and as they are rather 

 heavy, are affixed to tolerably strong branches. One such nest, 

 which is now in the British Museum, has been buUt upon a post, 

 nearly encircling it above, and sloping off to a rounded point, 

 nearly two feet below the highest portion. Another is fixed to a 

 rather stout, straight, and upright branch. The nests are dark 

 brown in colour, and as they are fixed to objects of a similar 

 hue, are very inconspicuous. The insect which makes this nest 

 is nearly as large as the English hornet. 



The walls of the nests made by insects of this genus are very 

 thin and fragile, not unlike those of the structure built by 

 Polybia sedula. In one nest the cover is remarkably elegant, 

 being shaped like the half of a melon cut longitudinally, and 

 moulded into ribs which run transversely across the nest, and 

 have a gentle and regular curve. These ribs project about a 

 quarter of an inch, and are nearly half an inch wide, and are as 

 round and regular as if they were produced by cords wound 

 upon the combs. 



