iQQ FAMILIrE. (Jpis. **. c. 2. «.) 



approaching the rachis at first, but when she has 

 reached a certain point, she keeps receding fron) 

 it towards the margin, still cutting in a curve. 

 When she has nearly detached the portion she has 

 been employed upon from the leaf, she balances 

 her little wings for flight, lest its weight should 

 carry her to the ground, and the very moment it 

 parts from its parent stock, she flies off' with it in 

 triumph ; the detached portion remaining bent 

 between her legs, and being perpendicular to her 

 body. She pursues the same mode whatever be 

 the form or size of the piece necessary for her 

 purpose. 



^* The larvffi of these bees do not differ from 

 those of the hive bee ; when arrived at their full 

 size, they spin a cocoon of silk^ thick and solid, 

 which they attach to tlie sides of their cell. The 

 outside of this cocoon is covered with coarse brown 

 silk, but its interior is lined with very fine threads 

 cf silk of a whitish colour and close texture, which 

 shine like satin. These larvae are exposed to the 

 attacks of some Dipterous insect, which makes its 

 way into the cells and there deposits its eggs.'- 

 Thus far from this illustrious author (r). 



I cannot help suspecting that, in this account, 

 he has fallen into one error, with respect to the 

 little animals mode of building her cylindrical nest^ 

 for he seems to think that the cells are first made^ 

 ^d then their exterior covering : but if we con=? 



(r) Reaum. torn. 6, Mem. 4. p. 97 — 134. 



?Ide|;' 



