Bramble-bees and Others 



ceeded so well with me. We shall see as 

 much presently. 



My method is extremely simple. All I ask 

 is that the birth of my insects, that is to say, 

 their first seeing the light, their emerging 

 from the cocoon, should take place on the 

 spot where I propose to make them settle. 

 Here there must be retreats of no matter what 

 nature, but of a shape similar to that in which 

 the Osmia delights. The first impressions of 

 sight, which are the most long-lived of any, 

 shall bring back my insects to the place of 

 their birth. And not only will the Osmias 

 return, through the always open windows, but 

 they will also nidify on the natal spot if they 

 find something like the necessary conditions. 



And so, all through the winter, I collect 

 Osmia-cocoons, picked up in the nests of the 

 Mason-bee of the Sheds; I go to Carpentras 

 to glean a more plentiful supply in the nests 

 of the Hairy-footed Anthophora, that old 

 acquaintance whose wonderful cities I used to 

 undermine when I was studying the history 

 of the Oil-beetles.^ Later, at my request, a 

 pupil and intimate friend of mine, M. Henri 



^This study is not yet translated into English; but cf. 

 The Life of the Fly: chaps, ii. and iv. — Translator's Note. 



64 



