Bramble-bees and Others 



wall of each cell bears traces of gnawing con- 

 centrated upon one spot. All, therefore, have 

 acted in the same way as their more fortunate 

 sisters; they did not succeed, because their 

 strength failed them. Lastly, in my glass 

 tubes, part-lined with a thick piece of packing- 

 paper, I often see attempts at making a win- 

 dow in the side of the cell : the paper is pierced 

 right through with a round hole. 



This then is yet another result which I am 

 glad to record in the history of the bramble- 

 dwellers. When the Osmia, the Anthidium 

 and probably others are unable to emerge 

 through the customary outlet, they take an 

 heroic decision and perforate the side of the 

 shaft. It is the last resource, resolved upon 

 after other methods have been tried in vain. 

 The brave, the strong succeed; the weak pe- 

 rish in the attempt. 



Supposing that all the Osmiae possessed the 

 necessary strength of jaw as well as the in- 

 stinct for this sideward boring, it is clear that 

 egress from each cell through a special win- 

 dow would be much more advantageous than 

 egress through the common door. The Bee 

 could attend to his release as soon as he was 

 hatched, instead of postponing it until after 



29 



