The Resin-bees 



nor the shape of the worker can explain the 

 work done. 



I will go further: I ask myself in vain the 

 reason of this or that trade in the case of a 

 fixed species. The Osmiae make their parti- 

 tions with mud or with a paste of chewed 

 leaves; the Mason-bees build with cement; 

 the Pelopasus-wasps fashion clay pots; the 

 Megachiles make disks cut from leaves into 

 urns; the Anthidia felt cotton into purses; 

 the Resin-bees cement together little bits of 

 gravel with gum; the Carpenter-bees and the 

 Lithurgi bore holes in timber; the Antho- 

 phoras tunnel the road-side slopes. Why all 

 these different trades, to say nothing of the 

 others? How are they prescribed for the in- 

 sect, this one rather than that? 



I foresee the answer: they are prescribed 

 by the organization. An insect excellently 

 equipped for gathering and felting cotton is 

 ill-equipped for cutting leaves,, kneading mud 

 or mixing resin. The tool in its possession 

 decides its trade. 



7 his is a very simple explanation, I admit, 

 and one within the scope of everybody: a 

 sufficient recommendation in itself for any one 

 who has ncidicr the time nor the inclination 



333 



