C 205 ] 
fliortly, as I am informed, to renew their fekrch in 
and near the place, where thefe infcriptions were 
found ; it is to be hoped, that fome further light 
may by that means be gained, for the clearing up 
thefe difficulties. 
XXXII. Some Obfervations upon an American 
W' afps-NeJl, Jhewn to the Royal Society ; 
By Mr, Ifrael Mauduit, F.R.S, 
Read May /TR. de Reaumur diftinguiflies wafps 
* 755 - three claffes, from the diffe- 
rent fituations, in which they place their nefts^ fome 
making choice of unfrequented parts of houfes, 
fome of little cavities in the earth, and others of the 
branches of trees for that purpofe. The firft of thefe 
is the largeft fort, or hornet ; the fecond is the com- 
mon fort here in England ; and the laft is more fre- 
quent in America. 
The neft, which I now do myfelf the honour to 
communicate to this Society, was fent me from Mary- 
land j where they are found on the lower kinds of 
trees, in the thickeft parts of their woods. This is 
built upon a dogwood-tree, or the Cornus mas Vir- 
ginianaj and hangs quite detached from the refl; of 
the tree by an extreme branch, of little more than 
an inch circumference : which, with its fmaller di- 
vifions running through the fubflance of the neft, an- 
fwcr the purpofe of pillars, to unite ajad fupport tlic 
leveral floors of the building. 
The 
