The Leaf-cutters 



dwelling is the tunnel of an Earth-worm 

 opening on some clay bank. Whether per- 

 pendicular or slanting, this tunnel runs down 

 to an indefinite depth, where the climate 

 would be too damp for the Bee. Besides, 

 when the time comes for the hatching of the 

 adult insect, its emergence would be fraught 

 with peril if it had to climb up from a deep 

 pit through crumbling rubbish. The Leaf- 

 cutter, therefore, uses only the front portion 

 of the Worm's gallery, two decimetres^ at 

 most. What is to be done with the rest of 

 the tunnel? It is an ascending-shaft, tempt- 

 ing to an enemy; and some underground 

 ravager might come this way and destroy the 

 nest by attacking the row of cells at the back. 

 The danger is foreseen. Before fashion- 

 ing her first honey-bag, the Bee blocks the 

 passage with a strong barricade composed of 

 the only materials used in the Leaf-cutter's 

 guild. Fragments of leaves are piled up in 

 no particular order, but in sufficient quanti- 

 ties to make a serious obstacle. It is not un- 

 usual to find in the leafy rampart some 

 dozens of pieces rolled into screws and fit- 

 ting into one another like a stack of cylindri- 



'7.8 inches. — Translator's Note. 



243 



