192 



THE MARVEL OF INSECT LIFE. 



There are several species of Osmia which do not take 

 the trouble of burrowing, but penetrate into straws, 

 especially those of thatched roofs. They have even 

 been known to find their way into grocers' shops and 

 make their way into maccaroni, much to the disgust of 

 the consumer. 



Some of these solitary burrowing bees are known by 



Fig. 3. ROSE-CTJTTEB, BEES AND NEST. (Half actual size.) 



the name of Leaf-cutters, because they make their suc- 

 cessive cells of the leaves of different trees and shrubs. 

 Hose-leaves are generally chosen by this insect, which 

 cuts semicircular pieces out of the edge of the leaf, 

 carries the severed portions to its burrow, and in a most 

 wonderfully ingenious manner forms them into a series 



