rhe Mason-bees 



Bees, brought from afar, whose return to the 

 place of their birth can in no way assist their 

 return to the nest transplanted to another site. 

 Favier took the business in hand. He had 

 discovered on the banks of the Aygues, at 

 some miles from the village, a deserted hut, 

 where the Mason-bees had established them- 

 selves in a numerous colony. He proposed 

 to take the wheel-barrow, in which to move 

 the blocks of cells; but I objected: the jolt- 

 ing of the vehicle over the rough paths might 

 jeopardize the contents of the cells. A basket 

 carried on the shoulder was deemed safer. 

 Favier took a man to help him and set out. 

 The expedition provided me with four well- 

 stocked tiles. It was all that the two men 

 were able to carry between them; and even 

 then I had to stand treat on their arrival : they 

 were utterly exhausted. Le Vaillant tells us 

 of a nest of Republicans^ with which he 

 loaded a wagon drawn by two oxen. My 

 Mason-bee vies with the South-African bird : 

 a yoke of oxen would not have been too many 



iPrangois Le Vaillant (1753-1824), a distinguished 

 French naturalist, born in Dutch Guiana. "Republicans" 

 are Social Weaver-birds. — Translator's Note. 



80 



