The Spaniard fly and free-maſon fly are both of the waſp kind, but they differ from each other in ſize, ſhape, and alſo in the ſubſtance and curious manner of making their neſts. The firſt is of the ſhape of a ſmall bee, and builds its neſt of a waxy matter, in the form of a ſmall flat button full of holes, which it ſuſpends by a ſilky ligament to the cielings of houſes, or to the boughs of trees, where it has the benefit of the wind to vibrate to and fro.
The free-maſon fly is exactly of the ſhape, ſize, and colour of a waſp, and builds its neſt of mud, in the ſhape of organ barrels. It is curious to ſee theſe little creatures at work, they ſhew ſo much art and industry, ſome of them fetching the mud in their mouths, while others are forming their ſmall cones, or filling them up when finiſhed with numbers of various-coloured ſmall ſpiders, which they alſo bring in their mouths, for food to their young when hatched.
