276 BRITISH BEES. 



they form within them, will necessarily vary in diameter 

 and length with the size of the species, but in the larger 

 species they are about an inch and a quarter long and half 

 an inch in diameter. Some entomologists have surmised 

 that different species use the leaves of different plants for 

 lining their cells ; this, however, is not strictly the case, as 

 shown in the preceding remarks ; but, although not so, 

 the series of nests in the same tube are always lined with 

 cuttings from the same plant ; perhaps a varying caprice 

 operates upon each day's labours and changes the plant, 

 influenced by the drift of the wind or some casual freak. 

 The cylindrical tube being prepared, which is done 

 very similarly to the way in which it is practised by 

 all the labouring genera, by the gradual removal of the 

 particles of the wood, or sand, or earth of which it con- 

 sists, the insect's instinct prompts it to fly forth to ob- 

 tain the requisite lining, that the lateral earth may not 

 fall in, or the wood taint the store to be accumulated 

 for the young, for it is before this is done that the 

 upholstery is commenced. Having fixed upon the pre- 

 ferred plant, Rose-bush or Laburnum or Sallow, or 

 whatever it may be, it alights upon the leaf, and fixing 

 itself upon the edge, it holds it with three legs on each 

 side, then using its mandibles as the cutter of silhouettes 

 would his scissors, and, just as rapidly as he cuts out a 

 profile, does this ingenious little creature ply the tools it 

 is furnished with by nature. The oval or semicircular 

 cutting being thus speedily dispatched, with the legs still 

 clinging to the surfaces, the insect biting its way back- 

 wards, the piece cut off necessarily remains within the 

 clutch of the legs, and, when about falling, the rejoicing 

 labourer expands her wings and flies off with it with a 

 hum of delightful triumph, the cutting being carried 



