196 BEE, WOOD PIERCER. 



and farina, on which she deposits her egg, and finally 

 closes up the aperture with leaves, replacing the earth, so 

 as quite to conceal the entrance. 



Some of the wild Bees form nests of leaves, each species 

 selecting a peculiar tree : that of the rose-tree takes the 

 edge of the leaf between her legs, and cuts with her strong 

 jaws in a curved line, so as to form a piece narrow at one 

 end, and broad at another ; having one edge formed by 

 the indented edge of the rose leaf; when she has almost 

 completed her job, she balances her wings as for flight, 

 and carries off her spoil in triumph. The cell is composed 

 of three pieces carefully folded over each other, with the 

 serrated edge outwards, and the narrow ends bent down- 

 wards in the shape of a thimble, all so compact, that, with- 

 out the help of a cement, it retains the liquid honey. The 

 end is closed with three circular pieces, exactly fitted to 

 the edges, and presenting a concave surface, in which is 

 placed the convex end of the next cell. Six or seven such 

 are placed in this cylindrical form, and each is provided 

 with a rose-coloured paste of honey and farina, and a 

 single egg. The whole is placed either under ground, or 

 in the cavities of walls and decayed wood. 



THE MASON BEE 



" sand and glue 

 from her own mouth ; the cells are close to each other, 

 and under a common covering. These nests last for 

 several seasons, and are often the occasion of contentions 

 between the Bees. 



THE WOOD PIERCER 



Forms cavities in strong timber, which it divides by par- 

 titions of a paste of wood dust, and provides with food. 



THE CANDING BEES 



Form or find a cavity, which they line with moss, and 

 furnish with cells for their young. Their mode of convey- 

 ing the moss is very curious. Having found some that 



