I 



CHAPTER IX 



THE COTTON-BEES 



THE evidence of the Leaf-cutters proves 

 that a certain latitude is left to the in- 

 sect in its choice of materials for the nest; and 

 this is confirmed by the testimony of the 

 Anthidia, the cotton-manufacturers. My dis- 

 trict possesses five species of Cotton-bees: 

 Anthidiiim jlorcntimim, Latr., A. diadema, 

 Latr., a. mankatiim, Latr., A. cingiilatum, 

 Latr., A. scapulare, Latr. None of them 

 creates the refuge in which the cotton goods 

 are manufactured. Like the Osmiae and 

 the Leaf-cutters, they are homeless va- 

 grants, adopting, each to her own taste, 

 such shelter as the work of others affords. 

 The Scapular Anthidium is loyal to the 

 dry bramble, deprived of its pith and turned 

 into a hollow tube by the industry of 

 various mining Bees, among whom figure, in 

 the front rank, the Ceratince, dwarf rivals 

 of the Xylocopa, or Carpenter-bee, that 

 mighty driller of rotten wood. The spacious 



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