504 HABITATIONS OF INSECTS. 



lice of the cocoon, which, after giving it a regular cir- 

 cular form, they strengthen by a ring or elevated tube 

 of wax made in a different shape by different species ; 

 and to coat them internally with a lining of the same 

 material. They even occasionally construct honey-pots 

 entirely of wax''. 



The most curious circumstance in the construction 

 of these nests, is the mode in which the bees transport 

 the mess employed in forming the roof. When they 

 have discovered a parcel of this material conveniently 

 situated upon tlse ground, five or six insects place 

 themselves upon it in a file, turning the hinder part of 

 their bodies towards the quarter to vvhicli it is meant 

 to 1)0 conveyed. The first takes a i-mall portion, and 

 with its jaws and fore-legs as it were felts it together. 

 When the fibres are sufficiently entangled, it pushes 

 them under its body by means of the first pair of legs ; 

 the intermediate pair receive the mess, and deliver it 

 to the last, whicli protrude it as far as possible beyond 

 the anus. When by this process the insect has formed 

 behind it a small ball of well-carded moss, the next bee 

 pushes it to the third, which consigns it in like manner 

 to that behind it; and thus the balls are conveyed to 

 the foot of the nest, and from tlience elevated to the 

 summit, much in the same way that a file of labourers 

 transfer a parcel of cheeses from a vessel or cart to a 

 warehouse''. It is easy to perceive that a vast saving 

 of time must ensue from this well contrived division of 

 labour; the structure rising much more rapidly than if 

 every individual had been employed first in carding his 

 materials, and then in transferring them to the spot. 



• ilubrr, Linn. 'n. vi. 213-298. " Reaum. vi. 7-lQ, 



