eh? 
having their openings at the bottom of the gourd- 
shaped nest. Some are accumulated so as to form 
an impenetrable mass for security against the at- 
tacks of monkeys and snakes, with labyrinthine pas- 
sages to numerous cells and nests, forming in each 
assemblage a vast college of the ploceus socialis. 
The nest of the reed wren is said by Montague to 
be composed of long grass and of the downy seed 
branches of reeds, and lined with the down. It is 
very deep, and conceals the bird when sitting. This 
nest is fastened by long grass to several reeds, which 
are bound together for that purpose. The mud nests 
of house martins are no less admirable instances of 
laborious perseverance and ingenious contrivance. 
The amphibia in general exhibit little ingenuity in 
constructing places for the protection of their eggs. 
It is well known that almost the whole of this class 
is oviparous; with, however, a very few exceptions, 
as the rana pipa among the batrachia, which pro- 
duces its young in a manner quite peculiar to itself; 
demonstrating that although a general unity of plan 
is traceable throughout creation in this part of ani- 
mal economy, yet one in many respects different 
might have been adopted, had it pleased the Uni- 
versal Ordainer. A number of pits or cells on the 
back of this animal perform the double office of nest 
and womb. The young are there mysteriously ma- 
tured, and there pass in quiescence through the tad- 
pole state, till ready to emerge minute but perfect 
toads. The shell serves as a nest to the tortoise in 
his earthy burrow. The alligator, I have before ob- 
