THATCH. 



185 



In the centre is the compound nest of the Sociable Weaver- 

 bird of Southern Africa (Phiktcerus socius) . 



This is a dwelling constructed very much after the fashion 

 adopted by many hymenopterous insects, namely, that each pair 

 of birds make their own individual nest, but unite with their 



S"P 



DWELLING OF SOCIABLE WEAVER -BIRD, WITH THATCH. 

 THATCHED EGGS OF GOLD-TAILED MOTH. 



THATCHED HOUSE. 



companions in constructing a common roof or covering. More 

 than three hundred nests have been found in a single habita- 

 tion, and sometimes the birds miscalculate, or rather, do not 

 calculate the resisting power of the branches, and, when the 

 rainy season comes, the additional weight of water brings down 

 the whole edifice with a great crash. 



The thatch which covers this congeries of nests is made of 

 the Booschmannees-grass, whose long leaves and tough wiry 

 stems are admirably adapted for throwing off water, even 

 though they be not bound together like our more regularly 

 constructed thatch. 



Perhaps the reader may be aware that in the Orang-outan, 

 the Chimpansee, and other large apes, the hairs of the arms 

 are very long, and point in different directions, so that if the 

 creature should be caught in a rain-storm, and, after the manner 

 of its kind, fold its arms on its breast, with the hands resting 

 on the shoulders, the rain is shot clear of its body, the hairs 

 performing the duty of eaves. 



Both Japan and China have a rain-cloak, constructed on 



