2l6 
STRANGE DWELLINGS. 
placed in the box, and well supplied with sugar and beer. They J 
immediately began to work, and their first object was to cover j 
the combs with paper. They worked with great rapidity, and in 
two days had formed a flask-shaped nest, having covered both 
the combs and the wire, beside plastering large sheets of paper 
over the sides of the box. They did not attempt to build upon 
the glass front, because it was frequently moved in order to 
introduce a supply of sugar. ;; 
As the wasps were building at such a rate, it was evident 
that they would shortly fill the whole box with a shapeless 
mass of paper. Another similar box was therefore prepared, 
and the wasps ejected by tapping the box which was already 
completed. As soon as they were all out, the second box was 
substituted for the first, and the wasps crowded eagerly into it 
and again began their labours. In this box they were allowed 
to remain for a week, and built another nest. The wasps were j! 
now transferred to a third box, in which they laboured for four 
days, and produced a nest somewhat similar to the others, but 
not quite so symmetrical. 
At this time Mr. Stone fitted up another box with two rows | 
of wire pillars, eight in number, placed with tolerable regularity 
about two inches apart, and having a piece of comb at the base 
and summit of each. In this box the wasps remained for 
fifteen days, and in that time had covered all the wires and ; 
most of the combs, and had nearly filled the box with paper. 
In order that a more symmetrical structure might be pro- 
duced, a fifth box was fitted up with wires arranged in a 
different manner. Four wires were placed across the box, 
rather in advance of the middle, and two others in front of 
them. To all these wires a piece of comb was fixed at the 
base and summit, but between the two central pillars a short 
wire was placed, having a piece of comb at its summit only. 
The wasps were transferred to this box, and in the short space 
of five days they covered all the combs and wires, and pro- »i 
duced an extraordinary structure, looking like a paper imitation 1 
of a stalactitic cavern. The insects were ejected from this nest 
before they had finished their work, and in consequence, a 
