The Mason-bees 



the hole In the receptacle, Is too lofty a piece 

 of reasoning for the Insect. 



A cell In the rudimentary cup-stage and con- 

 taining no provisions has a hole, three or four 

 millimetres^ wide, made in it at the bottom. 

 A few moments later, this orifice Is stopped by 

 the Mason. We have already witnessed a 

 similar patching. The insect, having finished, 

 starts foraging. I reopen the hole at the same 

 place. The pollen runs through the aperture 

 and falls to the ground as the Bee is rubbing 

 off her first load in the cell. The damage Is 

 undoubtedly observed. When plunging her 

 head into the cup to take stock of what she 

 has stored, the Bee puts her antennae into the 

 artificial hole: she sounds it, she explores it, 

 she cannot fail to perceive It. 



I see the two feelers quivering outside the 

 hole. The insect notices the breach in the 

 wall : that is certain. It flies off. Will It bring 

 back mortar from Its present journey to repair 

 the injured jar even as it did but a few 

 minutes ago? 



Not at all. It returns with provisions, It 

 disgorges its honey, it rubs off its pollen, it 



i.ii to .15 inch. — Translator's Note. 

 174 



