136 INSECT ARTIZANS AND THEIR WORK 



for her upholstery ; in which she appears to come 

 close to the European species, Osmia papaveris 

 (formerly included in this genus), which lines her 

 cells with the petals of the Corn Poppy (Popaver 

 r hoe as). 



M. albocincta usually appropriates a burrow of 

 the earthworm, and as this is far too long for her 

 purpose, she stops it at the proper depth by a 

 plug of leaves on which she builds up her cells. 

 Other species are fully alive to the labour saving 

 effected by adapting a previously existing cylindrical 

 hole for their nesting-place. Bamboos used for 

 the support of tall plants in gardens are frequently 

 taken by them ; screw-holes, pipes of small bore, 

 and gun-barrels also come handy. 



Osmia papaveris, to which we have already briefly 

 referred, is usually found in the neighbourhood of 

 corn-fields, and sinks its shafts in the firm earth of 

 roads and well-trodden footpaths. Cutting semi- 

 circular pieces from the bright-red petals of the 

 poppy, it uses them in much the same manner as 

 Mega chile does with her leaves ; but instead of 

 cutting small circles for capping the cells, she turns 

 over the upper edges of the lining pieces to effect 

 the closure. 



