128 BEES AND WASPS [OH. ix 



establishing the whole in boxes provided with every 

 convenience for free entry and exit ; but the queens 

 appear to resent any transport of their home, and all 

 my attempts with them have ended in failure. But 

 when once the workers have become responsible for 

 the upkeep of the fabric and its occupants transfer- 

 ence of the nest does not cause any cessation of their 

 work. 



Mr F. W. L. Sladen has recently published an 

 account (vide Bibliography) of his work on humble- 

 bees. In his book he explains how by the use of 

 wooden covers for artificial nests these insects may 

 be induced to nest in desired places where they may 

 be studied at leisure. 



So far as we are aware no one has ever kept any 

 of the solitary species under the artificial conditions 

 of semi-domestication. The idea of a "home" is pro- 

 bably so feebly developed in the minds of these forms 

 that it is impossible to attach them to any spot save 

 that of their own free choice. 



