UPHOLSTERE R-BEES. 



51 



her cells. The leaf of the rose-tree seems to be that which 

 she prefers, though she sometimes takes other sorts of leaves, 

 particularly those with serrated margins, such as the birch, 

 the perennial mercury (^Mercurialis perennis), mountain- ash, 

 &c. She places herself upon the outer edge of the leaf 

 which she has selected, so that its margin may pass between 

 her legs. Turning her head towards the point, she com- 

 mences near the footstalk, and with her mandibles cuts 

 out a circular piece with as much expedition as we could 

 do with a pair of scissors, and with more accuracy and 

 neatness than could easily be done by us. As she proceeds, 

 she keeps the cut portion between her legs so as not to 



Kose-leaf cutter Bees, and Nest lined with rose-leaves. 



impede her progress ; and using her body for a trammel, as 

 a carpenter would say, she cuts in a regular curved line. 

 As she supports herself during the operation upon the 

 portion of the leaf which she is detaching, it must be 

 obvious, when it is nearly cut oft', that the weight of her 

 body might tear it away, so as to injure the accuracy of its 



