The Mason-bees 



the Sheds and the two cell-borrowing Osmiae 

 proves it in a still more positive fashion. 

 There is never a fight for the acquisition of 

 another's goods or the defence of one's own 

 property; never a brawl between Osmiae and 

 Masons. Robber and robbed live on the most 

 neighbourly terms. The Osmia considers 

 herself at home; and the other does nothing 

 to undeceive her. If the parasites, so deadly 

 to the workers, move about in their very 

 ranks with impunity, without arousing the 

 faintest excitement, an equally complete in- 

 difference must be shown by the dispossessed 

 owners to the presence of the usurpers in their 

 old homes. I should be greatly put to it if 

 I were asked to reconcile this calmness on the 

 part of the expropriated one with the ruthless 

 competition that is said to sway the world. 

 Fashioned so as to instal herself in the 

 Mason's property, the Osmia meets with a 

 peaceful reception from her. My feeble eyes 

 can see no further. 



I have named the provision-thieves, the 

 grub-murderers and the house-grabbers who 

 levy tribute on the Mason-bee. Does that 

 end the list? Not at all. The old nests are 

 cities of the dead. They contain Bees who, 



