THE MUD WASl*, 



457 



kneaded by the insect until it has attained a wonderfiil tenacity 

 and strength, and is rendered so plastic as to be worked almost 

 as neatly as the waxen bee-cell. It is of rather a lai-ge size^' 

 measuring about thirteen inches in length, by nine in width, and 

 filled with combs. Unfortunately, in its passage to this country, 

 it waa broken and much damaged, but the fragments were col- 



lected and skilfully put together by Mr. F. Smith, who has 

 succeeded in restoring the nest to its original shape, with the 

 exception of an aperture through which the interior of the nest 

 may. be seen. 



The accident was in so far an advantage, that it gave oppor- 

 tunities of studying the construction of a nest which is at present 



