Chap. I. 
MASON WASP. 
41 
projecting object. One of these restless artificers once 
began to build on the handle of a chest in the cabin of 
my canoe, when we were stationary at a place for 
several days. It was so intent on its work that it 
allowed me to inspect the movements of its mouth 
with a lens whilst it was laying on the mortar. Every 
fresh pellet was brought in with a triumphant song, 
which changed to a cheerful busy hum when it alighted 
and began to work. The 
little ball of moist clay was 
laid on the edge of the cell, 
and then spread out around 
the circular rim by means 
of the lower lip guided by 
the mandibles. The insect 
placed itself astride over the 
rim to work, and, on finish- 
ing each addition to the 
structure, took a turn round, 
patting the sides with its 
feet inside and out before Pelopaeus Wasp building nest. 
flying off to gather a fresh 
pellet. It worked only in sunny weather, and the 
previous layer was sometimes not quite dry when the 
new coating was added. The whole structure takes 
about a week to complete. I left the place before the 
gay little builder had quite finished her task : she did 
not accompany the canoe, although we moved along the 
bank of the river very slowly. On opening closed 
nests of this species, which are common in the neigh- 
bourhood of Mahica, I always found them to be stocked 
