The Leaf-cutters 



tions. The bottom of the cell particularly 

 comes in for after-touches. As the natural 

 curve of the larger pieces is not enough to pro- 

 vide a cup without cracks in it, the Bee does 

 not fail to improve the work with two or 

 three small oval pieces applied to the imper- 

 fect joins. 



Another advantage results from the snip- 

 pets of unequal size. The three or four outer 

 pieces, which are the first placed in position, 

 being the longest of all, project beyond the 

 mouth, whereas the next, being shorter, do 

 not come quite up to it. A brim is thus ob- 

 tained, a ledge on which the round disks of 

 the lid rest and are thus prevented from 

 touching the honey when the Bee presses 

 them into a concave cover. In other words, 

 at the mouth, the circumference comprises 

 only one row of leaves ; lower down, it takes 

 two or three, thus restricting the diameter 

 and securing an hermetic closing. 



The cover of the pot consists solely of 

 round pieces, very nearly alike and more or 

 less numerous. Sometimes I find only two, 

 sometimes I count as many as ten, closely 

 stacked. At times, the diameter of those 

 pieces is of an almost mathematical precision, 



249 



