Bramble-Dwellers 



passage whereof those from a distance will 

 avail themselves. In this way, it may happen 

 that, when the width of the tube permits, an 

 Osmia in a back row will nevertheless be one 

 of the first to emerge. 



In the bramble-stem, which is of exactly 

 the same diameter as the cocoon, this escape 

 by the side of the column appears hardly 

 practicable, except to a few males; and even 

 these have to find a wall which has so much 

 pith that by taking it away they can effect a 

 passage. Let us then imagine a tube so nar- 

 row as to prevent any exit save in the natural 

 sequence of the cells. What will happen? A 

 very simple thing. The newly-hatched Osmla, 

 after perforating his partition, finds himself 

 faced with an unbroken cocoon that obstructs 

 the road. He makes a few attempts upon 

 the sides and, realizing his impotence, retires 

 into his cell, where he waits for days and 

 days, until his neighbour bursts her cocoon 

 In her turn. His patience is Inexhaustible. 

 However, it is not put to an over-long test, 

 for within a week, more or less, the whole 

 string of females Is hatched. 



When two neighbouring Osmiae are re- 

 leased at the same time, mutual visits are paid 



24 



