THE OSMIZ. 24 
WwW 
One of the commonest Osmi@ is the mason bee of Réaumur 
(Chalicodoma muraria). This species has a massive body and strong 
mandibles, which have four small teeth upon them, and its name, 
which signifies “stone house,” is by no means badly chosen. The 
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Ht : 
A male in flight. A female working at her nest. A female seen in front. 
Chalicodoma muraria. 
A completed nest. 
female mason is of a velvety black colour, and the male, which is 
always smaller, is clothed with a russet pubescence, the end of the 
abdomen being black. 
Spots of earth may often be seen on walls which have a 
sunny aspect; they are more or less egg shaped, and look like 
@gZ 
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