“46 SOCIAL HABITATIONS. 
and they can be struck down as they fly to and fro in the 
glare. 
The nest that has just been mentioned was rather deeply 
imbedded in the tree, and cost no less than six hours of 
continuous labour, the work of excavation having been 
begun at 8 p.m. and the nest extracted at 2 aM. 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 thedimen- 
sions of the insects that are crawling upon it. As the 
arrangement 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 hymenopterous 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 Synwca, this name being derived from two Greek 
words, which signify sociality. 
The nests of these insects have some resemblance to those 
of certain Polybie, 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 built 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. 
