86 BEES AND WASPS [OH. 



business of nidification. It is very pleasant to see 

 with what address it strips oft' the pubes, running 

 from the top to the bottom of the branch, and 

 shaving it bare with the dexterity of a hoop-shaver. 

 When it lias got a bundle almost as large as itself it 

 flies away, holding it secure between its chin and its 

 fore-legs." 



Before proceeding to the social-bees, a passing 

 mention must be made of two very striking solitary 



Fig. 16. Eucera lonyicornis 

 (about IT? times natural size) 



species, viz. Eucera longicornis and Saropoda bimac- 

 idata. The former of these is a large and handsome 

 brown bee, about three-quarters of an inch in length, 

 that in some localities is abundant from the months 

 of May till August. The female of this species has 

 antennae of ordinary dimensions; but in the male 

 these organs are nearly as long as the whole body, 

 rendering the insect quite unmistakeable. The nest 



