Bramble-bees and Others 



grub, kept in Its place by its rear-end, need 

 only bend its neck a little to find the honey- 

 soaked paste under its mouth. When it grows 

 stronger, it will release itself from its support 

 and eat up the surrounding flour. 



All this is touching, in Its maternal logic. 

 For the new-born, dainty bread-and-honey ; 

 for the adolescent, just plain dry bread. 

 In cases where the provisions are all 

 of a kind, these delicate precautions are 

 superfluous. The victuals of the Antho- 

 phorse and the Challcodomae consist of 

 flowing honey, the same throughout. The 

 egg is then laid at full length on the 

 surface, without any particular arrangement, 

 thus compelling the new-born grub to take its 

 first mouthfuls at random. This has no 

 drawback, as the food is of the same quality 

 throughout. But, with the Osmia's provi- 

 sions — dry powder on the edges, jam In the 

 centre — the grub would be In danger If Its 

 first meal were not regulated in advance. To 

 begin with pollen not seasoned with honey 

 would be fatal to Its stomach. Having no 

 choice of Its mouthfuls because of its immo- 

 bility and being obliged to feed on the spot 

 where It was hatched, the young grub must 



86 



