436 HABITATIOIJS OF INSECTS. 



more properly compared to carpenters, boring with in- 

 credible labour out of the solid wood long cylindrical 

 tubes, and dividing them into various cells. Amongst 

 these, one of the most remarkable is Xylocopa ^ violaceat 

 a large species, a native of Southern Europe, distin- 

 guished by beautiful wings of a deep violet colour, and 

 found commonly in gardens, in the upright putrescent 

 espaliers or vine-props of which, and occasionally in the 

 garden seats, doors and window-shutters, she makes 

 her nest. In the beginning of spring, after repeated and 

 careful surveys, she fixes upon a piece of wood suitable 

 for her purpose, and with her strong mandibles begins 

 the process of boring. First proceeding obliquely down- 

 wards, she soon points her course in a direction parallel 

 with the sides of the wood, and at length with unwearied 

 exertion forms a cylindrical hole or tunnel not less than 

 tsvelve or fifteen inches long and half an inch broad. 

 Sometimes, where the diameter will admit of it, three or 

 four of these pipes, nearly parallel with each othei', are 

 bored in the same piece. Herculean as this task, which 

 is the labour of several days, appears, it is but a small 

 part of what our industrious bee cheerfully undertakes. 

 As yet she has completed but the shell of the destined 

 habitation of her offspring ; each of which, to the num- 

 ber of ten or twelve, will require a separate and distinct 

 apartment. How, you will ask, is she to form these? 

 With what materials can she construct the floors and 

 ceilings? Why truly God " doth instruct her to dis- 

 cretion and doth teach her." In excavatinfj her tunnel 

 she has detached a large quantity of fibres, which lie on 

 the ground like a heap of saw-dust. This material sup- 

 » Ajns. **. d. 2. /3. K. 



