THE HALICTI 217 



them. In the cool hours of the early morning, when the 

 harvesters, not finding the pollen-flour sufficiently ripened 

 by the sun, remain indoors, I see the portresses at 

 their posts, at the top of the gallery. Here, motionless, 

 their heads flush with the earth, they bar the door to all 

 invaders. If I look at them too closely, they retreat a 

 little way and, in the shadow, await the indiscreet 

 observer's departure. 



I return when the harvest is in full swing, between eight 

 o'clock and twelve. There is now, as the Halicti go in or 

 out, a succession of prompt descents to open the door 

 and ascents to close it. The portress is in the busy 

 exercise of her functions. 



In the afternoon, the heat is too great, the workers do 

 not go to the fields. Retiring to the bottom of the house, 

 they varnish the new cells, they bake the round loaf that 

 is to receive the egg. The grandmother is still upstairs, 

 stopping the door with her bald head. For her, there is 

 no nap during the stifling hours : the general safety 

 will not allow of it. 



I come back again at night-fall, or even later. By the 

 light of a lantern, I rebehold the overseer, as zealous and 

 assiduous as in the day-time. The others are resting, but 

 not she, for fear, apparently, of nocturnal dangers known 

 to herself alone. Does she nevertheless end by descending 

 to the quiet of the floor below ? It seems probable, so 

 essential must rest be, after the fatigue of such a watch ! 



It is evident that, guarded in this manner, the burrow is 

 exempt from calamities similar to those which, too often, 

 dispeople it in May. Let the Gnat come now, if she dare, 

 to steal the Halictus' loaves ! Her audacity, her stubborn 

 lurking ways will not conceal her from the watchful one, 

 who will put her to flight with a threatening gesture or, if 



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