OF THE 

 COLLEGE OF 



Mason-Bees. 



parallel and perpendicular ; but it may also bo remarked, 

 that the bee itself was a species altogether different from 

 the one which we have described above as the Anthophora 

 retusa, and agreed with the figure of the one we caught 

 quarrying the clay (Osmia bicornis). 



[In Mr. F. Smith's elaborate catalogue of the British 

 hymenoptera there is a most interesting account of the 

 habits of this insect, which is the most abundant species of 

 the genus, and is spread not only over the whole of England, 

 but over the continent, being found as far south as Italy and 

 as far north as Lapland. 



" In a hilly country, or at the sea-side, it chooses the sunny 

 side of cliffs or sandy banks in which to form its burrows, 

 but in cultivated districts, particularly if the soil be clayey, 

 it selects a decayed tree, preferring the stump of an old 

 willow. It lays up a store of pollen and honey for the 

 larvas, which when full grown, spins a tough dark brown 

 cocoon, in which they remain in the larval state until the 

 autumn, when the majority change to pupa3, and soon arrive 

 at their perfect condition. Many, however, pass the winter 

 in the larva state. In attempting to account for so remarkable 

 a circumstance, all must be conjecture, but it is not of un- 

 frequent occurrence. This species frequently makes its bur- 

 rows in the mortar of old walls. 



Another species (Osmia bicolor) sometimes makes its cells 

 in very peculiar situations. When obliged to have recourse 

 to its natural powers, it uses its limbs right well, attacks 

 the hard sandy banks, and works at them with the greatest 

 perseverance. But it will not work one stroke where it can 

 avoid the necessity, and in many cases, it contrives to avoid 

 work with much ingenuity. 



Lying hidden under hedges, bushes, grass, and herbage, 

 are sure to be shells of various snails, such as the common 

 garden-snail, and the banded-snail, whose diversified shell is 

 the delight of children. These shells the bee thinks are as 

 good as ready-made burrows, and she uses them accordingly. 



She goes to the end of the shell, carrying her materials 

 with her, and then builds a cell, and fills it with pollen and 



