150 



Life and Immortality. 



LEAF-CUTTER BEE AT WORK. 

 Two Tunnels Being Filled With Leaf-Cells. 



has been chosen. She scans it over and over, and at last 

 from a position on its upper or nether surface proceeds to 

 cut a piece just fitted for her work, which, heavy as it seems, 

 is seized between the legs and jaws and carried on swiftly- 

 agitated wings to her burrow. 



Ten pieces or more, each differing in shape, are cut and 

 borne away, which the ingenious insect tailor twists and 

 folds, the one within the other, until is formed a funnel-like 

 cone, whose end is narrower than its mouth. So perfectly 

 joined are the parts, that even when dry they have been 

 found to retain their form and integrity. A cake of honey 

 and pollen, for the use of some yet unborn Leaf-cutter, is 



