250 



TRANSFORMA TIONS ■ OF INSECTSl 



sack ; this being done, the opening in the earth is filled up, and no 

 trace of it is left. 



These bees are represented in the engraving, some flying, 

 some cutting pieces of red poppy, and others are either upon'the 



ground or entering a nest. 



Xylocopa violacea. 



The Carpenter Bee {Xylocopa violacea), which is not uncommon, 

 is larger than the largest humble bee, and may be known by its 

 velvety black body and violet-coloured wings. This large bee, 

 when about to construct its nest, searches for pieces of wood which 

 it can pierce without much difficulty ; then it sets to work and 

 gnaws away with its mandibles and makes a hole, working indus- 



