336 THE PHILOSOPHT 



We have hitherto defcrlbed the wonderful affiduity of 

 this animal in conftrucling her cells. But this operation, 

 though great, and feemingly fuperior to the powers of a 

 creature fo fmall, is not her only labour. Before roofing in 

 the firft cell, fhe fills it with a pafte or pap, compofed of the 

 farina of flowers moiflened with honey. The quantity of 

 pafte is equal to the dimenfions of the cell, whicli is about an 

 inch high, and half an inch in diameter. Into this pafte, 

 which is to nourifli the future worm, fhe depofits an egg. 

 Immediately after this operation, flie begins to form a roof, 

 which not only inclofes the firft cell, but ferves as a floor to 

 the fecond. The fecond cell flie likewife fills with pafte, 

 depofits an egg^ and then covers the whole with another roof. 

 In this manner fhe proceeds, till flie has divided the whole 

 tube into feparate cells. A fingle tube frequently contains 

 from ten to a dozen of thefe cells. When the cells are all 

 inclofed, the bufinefs of this laborious bee is finifhed, and fhe 

 takes no more charge of her future progeny. The attention 

 •and folicitude beftowed by many other animals, in rearing 

 their young, are exerted after birth. But, in the wood- 

 piercing bee, as well as in many other infedts, this inftindlive 

 attachment is reverfed. All her labours and all her cares 

 are exerted before flie either fees her offspring, or knows 

 that they are to exift. But, after the defcription that has 

 been given of her amazing operations, fhe will not be confid- 

 ered as an unnatural mother. With aftonifliing induftry 

 and perfeverance, fhe not only furniflies her young with fafe 

 and convenient lodgings, but lays up for them ftores of pro- 

 vifions fufHcient to fupport them tilt their final metamorpho- 

 lis into flies, when the new females perform the fame almoft 

 incredible operations for the protection and fuftenance of 

 their own ofi^spring. When the young worm is hatched, it 

 has fcarcely fufHcient fpace to turn itfelf in the cell, which 

 is almoft entirely filled with the pappy fubftance formerly 



