and Neliroptera that this practice prevails; in the 
other classes it is less general, though not. less sin¬ 
gular. Thus a large species of American spider forms 
a very curious tubular or cylindrical nest in which 
it generally resides, and, in order to remove all sus¬ 
picion of the dangerous inhabitant, it constantly 
forms a moveable valve or door, with which it closes 
the entrance, and when it perceives the approach of 
any other insect, springs out and seizes the prey. 
The curious policy of the Myrmeleon Formicaleo 
in its larva state is well known. It lies in ambush 
at the bottom of a deep conical cavity formed in dry 
sand, into which other insects accidentally tailing 
are sure of being seized by the watchful inhabitant. 
The Termites of Africa and Asia afford wonderful 
examples of this nidificating power, and form stu¬ 
pendous structures of many feet in length, and di¬ 
vided into a vast variety of cells and passages. Of 
all insects however those whose operations arc most 
conspicuous arc the different kinds of Bees and 
Wasps, whose labours have been admired in all ages, 
and celebrated from the most remote antiquity. 
Amongst the most elegant of these structures may 
be numbered that of a species of Wasp, which, on 
account of its frequenting retired places, and fixing 
its nest in the upper parts of buildings, is less attend¬ 
ed to than many others of its genus. The structure 
of the nest is singularly curious. It is commonly 
fastened or suspended by a straw, or slight fragment 
of wood, or other small projecting substance, from 
the upper part of some barn or outhouse, and con¬ 
sists of three or four, and sometimes more concentric 
globes, 
