Exchanging the Nests 



Mason-bee engaged in victualling I give a nest 

 with a cell only just begun and not at all fit 

 to receive the paste. This cell, with its last 

 course still wet with its builder's saliva, may 

 or may not be accompanied by other cells 

 recently closed up, each with its honey and its 

 egg. The Bee, finding this in the place of her 

 half-filled honey-store, is greatly perplexed 

 what to do when she comes with her harvest 

 to this unfinished, shallow cup, in which there 

 is no place to put the honey. She inspects it, 

 measures it with her eyes, tries it with her 

 antennae and recognizes its insufficient capacity. 

 She hesitates for a long time, goes away, 

 comes back, flies away again and soon returns, 

 eager to deposit her treasure. The Insect's 

 embarrassment is most evident; and I cannot 

 help saying. Inwardly: 



"Get some mortar, get some mortar and 

 finish making the warehouse. It will only 

 take you a few moments; and you will have a 

 cupboard of the right depth," 



The Bee thinks differently: she was storing 

 her cell and she must go on storing, come 

 what may. Never will she bring herself to 

 lay aside the pollen-brush for the trowel; 

 never will she suspend the foraging which is 

 67 



