Bramble-Dwellers 



thing that I perceive Is the scrupulous respect 

 shown to the as yet unopened neighbouring 

 cocoon. However eager to come out, the 

 Osmia is most careful not to touch it with his 

 mandibles: it is taboo. He will demolish the 

 partition, he will gnaw the side-wall fiercely, 

 even though there be nothing left but wood, 

 he will reduce everything around him to dust; 

 but touch a cocoon that obstructs his way? 

 Never! He will not make himself an outlet 

 by breaking up his sisters' cradles. 



It may happen that the Osmia's patience is 

 in vain and that the barricade that blocks the 

 way never disappears at all. Sometimes, the 

 egg in a cell does not mature; and the uncon- 

 sumed provisions dry up and become a com- 

 pact, sticky, mildewed plug, through which 

 the occupants of the floors below could never 

 clear themselves a passage. Sometimes, again, 

 a grub dies in its cocoon; and the cradle of the 

 deceased, now turned into a coflSn, forms an 

 everlasting obstacle. How shall the insect 

 cope with such grave circumstances? 



Among the many bramble-stumps which I 

 have collected, some few have presented a re- 

 markable peculiarity. In addition to the ori- 

 fice at the top, they had at the side one and 



26 



