in HERMIT HOMES 73 



excavate different parts of vegetation, some build 

 houses of mud, clay, or sand ; some of leaves, bits of 

 stick, grass and shells ; some roll up leaves with art- 

 ful care, and dwell therein; some construct homes of 

 excretions from their own bodies. In fact, the variety 

 of these admirable contrivances is nearly infinite ; 

 and many for proportionate size and solidity, in com- 

 plexity of arrangement, and the complete manner 

 that they subserve the intention of formation, may 

 very well be compared with the structures of reasoning 

 man himself. 



In this chapter it is proposed to deal with the 

 habitations of insects living in a state of solitude, and 

 built each by a single individual, leaving the social 

 communities which unite in the labours of construc- 

 tion to be dealt with later on. The latter class are 

 better known, perhaps, because they are more strik- 

 ing on a general view ; but intimate acquaintance 

 with both leaves it a difficult matter to decide 

 which kind exceeds the other in wonder and attrac- 

 tiveness. 



We are all acquainted with the proverbial busy- 

 ness, the arrangements and policy of the ordinary 

 hive bee, for the care and rearing of its young. With 

 like object, and carried out with incomparable art and 

 activity, are the homes of many of its wild and 

 solitary relatives. Among these bees there is no 

 special laborious worker,* and since the male is an 

 equally idle member of society as the drone of the 

 hive, the duty of providing for the wants of the future 

 brood devolves solely on the mother. Awakening 

 from her winter sleep, she loses no time in fulfilling 



