278 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description of the wood bee or piercer. 



other, that both fall to the ground. But, in ge- 

 neral, like birds of prey, the one endeavours to 

 rise above the other, and to give a downward 

 blow. To avoid the stroke, the undermost, in- 

 stead of flying forward, or laterally, is frequently 

 observed to fly backward. This retrograde flight 

 is likewise performed occasionally by the com- 

 mon house fly, and some other insects, though 

 we are unable to perceive what stimulates them 

 to employ so uncommon a movement. 



The wood bees or piercers are larger than the 

 queens of the hive bees. Their bodies are smooth, 

 except the sides, which are covered with hair, 

 In the spring they frequent gardens, and search 

 for rotten or at least for dead wood, in order to 

 make an habitation for their young. They 

 usually choose the decaying uprights of arbours, 

 espaliers, or the props of vines ; but will some- 

 times attack garden seats, thick doors, and win- 

 dow shutters. 



The operations of these little animals are very 

 curious; when the female (for she receives no 

 assistance from the male) has selected a piece of 

 wood suited to her purpose, which is most com- 

 monly such as is perpendicular to the horizon, 

 she begins her work by boring perpendicularly 

 into it : when she has advanced about half an 

 inch, she changes her direction, and then pro- 

 ceeds nearly parallel with its sides for twelve or 

 fifteen inches, making the hollow about half an 

 jn,ch in diameter. If the wood be sufficiently 



