The Mason-bees 



in the human race, the Idler who feeds at 

 other people's tables is contemptible at all 

 points; but must the animal bear the burden 

 of the indignation Inspired by our own vices? 

 Our parasites, our scurvy parasites, live at 

 their neighbour's expense: the animal never; 

 and this changes the whole aspect of the 

 question. I know of no Instance, not one, 

 excepting man, of parasites who consume the 

 provisions hoarded by a worker of the same 

 species. There may be, here and there, a 

 few cases of larceny, of casual pillage among 

 hoarders belonging to the same trade: that I 

 am quite ready to admit, but it does not affect 

 things. What would be really serious and 

 what I formally deny is that, in the same 

 zoological species, there should be some who 

 possessed the attribute of living at the ex- 

 pense of the rest. In vain do I consult my 

 memory and my notes : my long entomological 

 career does not furnish me with a solitary 

 example of such a misdeed as that of an in- 

 sect leading the life of a parasite upon its 

 fellows. 



When the Challcodoma of the Sheds 

 works, in her thousands, at her Cyclopean 

 edifice, each has her own home, a sacred home 

 214 



