SINGULAR NESTS. 77 
general effect is very peculiar, and gives to the cell-group 
a character which renders it at once recognisable. 
The second nest which is represented in the same illus- 
tration is scarcely so.striking in appearance as the preced- 
ing, but is equally interesting, and to many minds more so, 
because the architect is at present unknown, and there is 
gem 
NESTS. POLISTES ATELRRIMA, ETC. 
some little mystery about the edifice. That it is the work 
of a Polistes is evident enough from the character of the 
cells, but it is not made by any of the numerous species 
whose nests are already in European collections. 
The colour of the combs is a rather sombre brown, so 
that at a little distance the whole group would easily escape 
notice, especially if it were buried in the depths of the 
forest, as is the case with many similar nests. The cells 
