50 



GUIDE TO INSECTS. 



cover is very delicate, almost like tissue paper (473, 475, 497). The 

 early stages of these nests are pretty objects. Several are exhibited 

 in table-case 52, and one in a more advanced state will be found 

 among the groups on the east side of the gallery (69). 



Two examples of a very remarkable nest are to be seen in this 

 case (501, 502). They are built entirely of clay, including the 

 comb. They have been found in South America, hanging from 

 branches, but no specimens of the insect have yet reached the 

 Museum (fig. 54). 



In the covered nests built by Social Wasps, two styles of building 



A Pig. 55. B 





(T 



1 W 



a 











___. 



J JUL 



b 





t> 







e ^ro^ 3 d 



c 



Diagrams of wasps' nests. 



them is noticeable. The common British wasps, Vespa, commence 

 the nest with a stalk attached to some object, with a few cells 

 suspended by it. Below this they suspend a second series of cells, 

 hanging by stalks from the first series, then a third series, etc. The 

 whole surrounded by a cover or envelope which has an opening 

 below ; this covering is enlarged as the combs are increased in 

 number and size (fig. 55 a). 



In the second style of nest the cells are attached to some leaf or 

 branch, without a stalk, and when a row of cells is completed it is 

 enclosed in a thin cover with an opening below, generally at one 

 side (fig. 55 b). The second row of cells is built on the outside of 



