THE INDUSTRIES OF WILD BEES 277 



become longer, and she returns home with no load that 

 you can see. After some days she will leave the spot 

 altogether, and then curiosity will naturally lead you 

 to examine the hole, and see what it contains. 



Carefully exploring, you will find in the hole a cylinder, 

 perhaps four inches long, made of bits of leaves wrapped 

 one round another and pressed tight against the wall. 

 If the tube is quite fresh, the bits of leaves will uncoil 

 when removed, but if several days have passed since they 

 were introduced, the tube will keep its shape. Gently 

 unwrap part of it. You will find that it is carefully formed 

 of several layers of leaves, and within are six, seven or 

 more cells, arranged in a row, and filling the whole length 

 of the tube. Each cell is thimble-shaped, and consists 

 of leaf-fragments arranged in several layers. One end 

 is a little narrower and rounded, the other end is wider, 

 and closed by a neat lid composed of two or three circular 

 leaf-fragments. Beyond this lid is a shallow open mouth, 

 which receives the end of the next cell. The cells are all 

 made separately, and though they fit the outer tube 

 closely, they are not fastened to it. It is therefore possible 

 to unroll the tube and leave all the cells intact. Within 

 each cell is a mass of honey and pollen, with an egg or 

 a larva on the top. Further study brings to light many 

 more details. The leaf-cutting bees are of several species, 

 and each has its own preferences. Some prefer one kind 

 of hole, others another. Some prefer rose-leaves, others 

 lilac-leaves, elm-leaves or horse-chestnut leaves. They 

 have their favourite flowers too, which they visit for 

 honey and pollen. The leaf -cutting bee which is most 

 plentiful in London gardens finds or makes its burrows 

 in the trunks of oak, elm, and mountain ash. 1 It generally 

 lines the burrow with elm leaves, and gets its honey and 

 pollen from thistles. The bee which cuts up the leaves 

 of rose-trees generally makes its holes in brick walls or 



1 I have no proof that the leaf-cutting bee ever makes her own 

 burrow. 



