Experiments 



ledge of the local map guides that mother 

 seeking her nest. 



To come to facts: it is a matter of repeat- 

 ing with the Mason-bee of the Walls my 

 former experiments with the Cerceris-wasps,^ 

 of carrying the insect, in the dark, a long 

 way from its nest, marking it and then 

 leaving it to its own resources. In case any 

 one should wish to try the experiment for him- 

 self, I make him a present of my manner of 

 operation, which may save him time at the 

 outset. The insect intended for a long jour- 

 ney must obviously be handled with certain 

 precautions. There must be no forceps em- 

 ployed, no pincers, which might maim a wing, 

 strain it and weaken the power of flight. 

 While the Bee is in her cell, absorbed in her 

 work, I place a small glass test-tube over it. 

 The Mason, when she flies away, rushes into 

 the tube, which enables me, without touching 

 her, to transfer her at once into a screw of 

 paper. This I quickly close. A tin box, an 

 ordinary botanizing-case, serves to convey the 

 prisoners, each in her separate paper bag. 



The most delicate business, that of mark- 

 ing each captive before setting her free, is left 



*Cf. Insect Life; chap. xix. — Translator's Note. 

 41 



