468 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



subsequently migrating to a third Anomia shell, and finally to a 

 stone. All the shells and the stone were in contact. The Chiton 

 died during the 325th day, and it was found lying curled up on the 

 sand at the base of the stone. It fed on the minute brownish 

 vegetable growth which existed on the shells and stone, and this 

 growth was systematically cleared from each of these objects before 

 the Chiton quitted it. The Chiton, which was about 10 mm. long, 

 was always in the daytime pressed closely against its foothold ; and 

 its colours (bright red and white) and markings, especially on the 

 stone, were in harmony with those of its surroundings, so that it was 

 often very difficult to find it. — H. N. Milligan. 



I N S E C T A. 



Wasps' Nest in a Gun. — It was not until July 20th, when a 

 little swarm of Wasps flew around the muzzle of an old ship's 

 gun, that I knew of my possession of Wasps. This gun, which 

 most likely came from the Sussex port of Newhaven, and pro- 

 bably did duty aboard a " privateer " in the early years of the 

 last century, stands on a small bit of lawn at the back of the house, 

 and Great Tits and Coal Tits have already built in it ; but not until 

 this year has it been occupied by Wasps. It may be said that on a 

 truly hot summer's day I have hesitated to rest a hand on it for any 

 length of time, and when we had a short outburst of summer weather 

 after the middle of July the Wasps found the heat too great for them 

 by the early afternoon, and all the ordinary routine of the colony 

 ceased — those that arrived either refused to enter, or, if they did, 

 quickly came out again. To improve matters, they adopted a simple 

 means of sending a draught of cool air up the bore of the gun, and 

 that was done by some two or three dozen assembling just inside the 

 muzzle and vigorously vibrating the wings ; and this was kept up 

 until the ancient piece of ordnance became shaded by a neighbouring 

 shrub, when the Wasps again returned to their usual duties. I may 

 have over-estimated the perspicuity of Vespa, but it seems doubtful 

 to my mind if a queen Wasp would have endangered the existence 

 of the colony she was about to establish by selecting such a site for 

 the nest if there was going to be a full amount of sunshine ; in any 

 case, it must be admitted that sunshine has been sadly lacking during 

 the past spring and summer. Nevertheless, having no desire to 

 combat the opinions of those who assure us that the heavy gunfire 

 in France and Flanders is responsible for the clouds and rain we 

 Jbave been having, and which I can hardly think a queen Wasp would 



