Bramble-bees and Others 



or shrub from which the Bee has cut her 

 pieces. 



Another main condition is a fine and supple 

 texture, especially for the first disks used in the 

 lid and for the pieces which form the lining 

 of the vessel. The rest, less carefully exe- 

 cuted, allows of coarser stuff; but even then 

 the piece must be flexible and lend itself to 

 the cylindrical configuration of the tunnel. 

 The leaves of the rock-roses, thick and 

 roughly fluted, fulfil this condition unsatisfac- 

 torily, for which reason I see them occurring 

 only at very rare intervals. The insect has 

 gathered pieces of them by mistake and, not 

 finding them good to use, has ceased to visit 

 the unprofitable shrub. Stiffer still, the leaf 

 of the holm-oak in Its full maturity is never 

 employed: the Silky Leaf-cutter uses it only 

 in the young state and then in moderation; 

 she can get her velvety pieces better from the 

 vine. In the lilac-bushes so zealously ex- 

 ploited before my eyes by the Hare-footed 

 Leaf-cutter occur a medley of different shrubs 

 which, from their size and the lustre of their 

 leaves, should apparently suit that sturdy 

 pinker. They are the shrubby hare's-ear, the 

 honeysuckle, the prickly butcher's-broom, the 



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