1 68 SOLITARY BEES AND WASPS. 



gravel walks, making curious little nests in holes 

 or angles in the brickwork of our houses, and yet 

 comparatively few people know much about them 

 and their habits, partly because they may often 

 be taken for honey-bees, and without very close 

 observation it is difficult to learn the characteristics 

 of the different species. 



I will endeavour to give a few details about some 

 of the solitary bees and wasps which have come 

 under my o\vn observation ; but it is a large 

 subject, and as my variable health will not allow 

 me to travel or even drive far from home, I can 

 only speak of those specimens I have met with 

 in my own grounds, and of which I have made 

 a small collection for reference. 



COLLETES. 

 (ONE THAT PLASTERS.) 



This species forms a tunnel in the ground from 

 eight to ten inches deep, and this space is divided 

 off into about seven cells. The wonderful thing 

 is the way in which the cells are lined with a 



