APOICA. 



585 



any conjecture been formed as to the reason for the remarkable 

 forms -wliich they assume. 



Perhaps, of all the nests in the splendid collection of the 

 British Museum, there are none that cause so much surprise as 

 the wonderful group which is represented in this illustration. 



Many persons pass through the room, and even take some notice 

 of the various nests with which they are surrounded, but they 

 seldom notice the peculiarities of this group until pointed out 

 to them. "When, however, their attention is directed towards 

 it, they never fail to express their surprise at so curious a struc- 

 ture, and their admiration of the manner in which these natural 

 homes are constructed. 



In a recent portion of this work the hexagonal principle of 



