More Enquiries into Mason-bees 



needed a compass to find my way? More- 

 over, I shall have an assistant with me, a pair 

 of eyes younger than mine and better-fitted to 

 follow my insects' first flight. That immedi- 

 ate start in the direction of the nest has al- 

 ready been repeated very often and is begin- 

 ning to interest me more than the return it- 

 self. A pharmaceutical student, spending a 

 few days with his parents, shall be my eye- 

 witness. With him, I feel at ease; science and 

 he are no strangers. 



The trip to the woods takes place on the 

 1 6th of May. The weather is hot and hints 

 at a coming storm. There is a perceptible 

 breeze from the south, but not enough to up- 

 set my travellers. Forty Mason-bees are 

 caught. To shorten the preparations, because 

 of the distance, I do not mark them while 

 they are on the nests; I shall mark them at 

 the starting-point, as I release them. It is 

 the old method, prolific of stings; but I prefer 

 it to-day, in order to save time. It takes me 

 an hour to reach the place. The distance, 

 therefore, allowing for windings, is about 

 three miles. 



The site selected must permit me to recog- 

 nize the direction of the insects' first flight. 

 97 



