70 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Orange-tailed bee. 



transverse black spots. These, alter, they are 

 hatched, separate from each other, eating the 

 paste that surrounds them. The honey-pots may 

 be intended to supply honey for the occasional 

 moistening of the paste in making repairs, &c. 

 The pupa in each cell is placed with its head 

 downwards, and makes its way out at the bottom 

 of its coccoon. 



When these animals, of any sex, are walking 

 on the ground, if a finger be moved to them, 

 they lift up three legs on one side, by way of 

 defence ; which gives them a very grotesque ap- 

 pearance. 



The orange-tailed bee, is one of the largest of 

 the British bees; but it varies in size, being 

 sometimes half an inch, and sometimes an inch 

 in length. Its body is black or dark brown, and 

 hairy ; and the extremity of the abdomen of a 

 bright orange colour. The wings are light 

 brown. 



These insects construct nests of a very elegant 

 appearance, being of an oval form, and com-* 

 posed of bits or' the larger mosses, closely and 

 neatly compacted together. A small round hole 

 or entrance is left on one side. These nests are 

 about four inches in diameier on the exterior, 

 and are generally formed on dry shady banks, 

 in woods, iunes, or meadows. The food laid up 

 for the larvae consists of a kind of honey of ^ 

 brownish colour, disposed in somewhat irregula 

 masses or heaps ; for these bees do not for 



