440 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



The insect which made this nest is of a deep steel-blue colour, 

 looking nearly black in a dim light. The head is rather large, 

 and the abdomen is rounded and small, being connected with 

 the thorax by a footstalk of moderate length. 



The two remarkable nests which are iigured in the large illus- 

 tration come from different parts of the world, but, as they are 

 simQar in many respects, they are placed close to each other. 



The long, flask-like nest was brought from Mexico, by Owen 

 Eees, Esq. in 1834. Even before it was opened, its structure 

 was evidently full of interest. The colour is dull white, not 

 unlike parchment, and the texture of the materials is nearly as 

 hard, stiff and close as that substance. When placed under the 

 microscope, it is seen to be composed of a vast number of shining 

 threads, crossing and recrossing each other in every direction, 

 and producing a material like very thin, but stiff felt. 



It was suspended to a branch, but could not swing in tlie 

 wind, because a twig descended into the neck and prevented any 

 lateral motion. At the bottom of the nest there is a small and 

 nearly circular aperture, through which the insects are enabled 

 to make their exit and entrance. The length of the nest is about 

 eight inches. 



So much for the exterior. On opening the nest, liowever, a 

 most singular state of things was discovered. A great number 

 of pupse, evidently those of some butterfly, were suspended by 

 their tails to the walls and to the twig which nms down the 

 nest. In this nest they were about one hundred in number, and 

 they were hung to the whole of the upper part of the nest, but 

 without any particular order. 



On seeing this nest, an entomologist naturally asks how 

 and when the insects made it. That they did not form it of a 

 small size and then add to its dimensions in order to suit their 

 growth, is evident from the fact that no trace of enlargement can 

 be perceived. It is most probable that as in the case of the 

 processionary moth, the caterpillars spin their silken home when 

 they are three parts grown, and in consequence have but a short 

 time to spend in it before they pass into the quiescent pupal 

 form. 



It is evident that the insects make their escape from their 

 pensile home as soon as they have broken out of the pupal skin, 



