HYMENOPTERA. 



43 



As the locks were in pretty constant use, it would appear that all the nests must 

 have been built within a few days. 



The leaf-cutter bees, of which an example (Megachile centuncularis) is figured 

 on the illustration on p. 36, take their name from lining their nests with cells 



GROUP OF SOLITARY BEES. 



1, 2, Hairy-legged bee (Dasypoda hirtipes] ; 3, 4, Shenck's earth-bee (Andrena schencki) ; 5, 6, Grey-haired 

 earth-bee (Andrena cineraria); 7, 8, Brown earth-bee (A. fulvicrus) ; 9, 10, Large burrowing bee (Hylceus 

 (jrandis). A male and female of each is figured. (All of nat. size.) 



made from fragments of leaves nipped out by the strong jaws of the insects. 

 These cells may be placed either in the holes of trees, in clefts and crannies of old 

 walls, or in specially con- 

 structed burrows in the 

 ground. Among the leaves 

 most generally employed 

 are those of the poplar, 

 hornbeam, privet, poppy, 

 and rose. The mode in 

 which these insects work, 

 and the structure of their 

 cells and burrows are 

 exhibited in the illustra- 

 tion. Yet another type 

 of building is exemplified 

 by the carpenter - bees 

 (Xylocopal which are MASON-BEE. 



amongst the finest mem- T> Negt ^ bee emerging and larva in an O pen cell ; 2, Male ; 3, Females 



bers of the entire family. fighting. (Nat. size.) 



