THE MASON BEE. 



Description Cuvious nests. 



from the first-laid eggs; so that, when ready to 

 emerge into the air, in passing through the bot- 

 tom of their cells, they do not interrupt each 

 other's progress. These larvae are exposed to 

 tbe attacks of other insects, that make their way 

 iiito the cells and deposit their eggs there. 



The mason bee (which is also one of the soli- 

 tary species) is about nine lines, or three quar- 

 ters of an inch in length. Its body is black, and 

 thickly clad with black hairs. The javys are very 

 large and prominent, and terminate in two biunt 

 teeth. The wings are black with a tinge of vio- 

 let. The abdomen is somewhat conical, and hag 

 underneath a patch of orange- coloured hairs. 

 The terminating joints of the legs are reddish. 

 The male is covered with red hairs. This bee 

 takes its name from the circumstance of con- 

 structing a nest of mud or mortar; which, on its 

 exterior, has so little of a regular appearance, 

 that it is generally regarded as a piece or dirt ac- 

 cidentally adhering to a wall. Wiumi, however, 

 it is furnished with regular cells, each of which 

 affords convenient lodgment to a white larva 

 much resembling that of the hive bee. In build- 

 ing this nest, which is a work of great labour 

 and art, the female is the sole operator, receiving 

 no assistance whatever from the maie. After fix- 

 ing upon an angle, sheltered by any projection, 

 on the south side of a stone wall, or upon some 

 rough part of its surface, she goes in quest of the 

 necessary materials. Her nest is to be con- 



