590 



HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



The outer covering is remarkably close, stiff, and tough, 

 although very thin, and crackles like parchment as tlie 

 scissors pass through it. When cut, it is found to be almost 

 distinct from the nest which it covers, being only attached to 

 the projecting ends of the leaf-stems, and so slightly fastened 

 to them that it can be lifted off without injury, only leaving a 

 few threads adherent to the stem. 



We now turn back the severed flap, and the body of the nest 

 comes to view. In the dry state the leaf-stems are so hard 

 that they require a strong and sharp pair of scissors to pene- 

 trate them. I nearly broke a moderately fine pair of scissors 

 in a vain endeavour to open the nest. Even in their fresh state 

 the stems must have been tolerably strong, and the architect 

 must have possessed a powerful pair of jaws for their severance. 

 The stems are crossed upon each other, much as confectioners 

 cross sticks of chocolate, so that the ends slightly protrude, and a 

 hollow space is left in the centre. Pressed tightly among the sticks 

 are fragments of leaviBS,not torn from the small delicate portions, 

 but cut completely through the largest nervures, and seeming, 

 indeed, as if the strongest parts of the leaves were intentionally 

 selected. In the specimens now before me the upper surface 

 of the leaf is always towards the exterior of the nest. 



We now take a very strong and sharp pair of scissors, push 

 one point into the nest, and carefuUy cut a flap corresponding 

 with the severed portion of the silken cover. The flap ia easily 

 turned back, and discloses a smooth and silken lining, much 

 resembling that which forms the cover. The lining, however, 

 is softer than the cover, and does not crackle when bent. Thus 

 we see that the nest consists of foui- distinct layers : first, the 

 soft silken lining, then a cover of leaf-fragments, then a pro- 

 tecting chevavx-de-frise of stems, and lastly a cover of silk, so 

 that the inhabitant is as well protected from weather and foes 

 as can be imagined. 



The next proceeding is to discover the architects of the nests. 

 This is easily done, for some of the architects have assumed 

 their perfect state during the voyage home, while others are 

 preserved by spirits, in which their discoverer has thoughtfully 

 placed some specimens. 



Here I may be allowed to mention that the example set by 

 Mr. W. J. Tomkinson, who sent over these interesting objects, 



