Bramble-bees and Others 



by getting all the huts built is a sensible pre- 

 caution: the mother will not have to turn 

 aside from the delicate task of harvesting and 

 egg-laying in order to perform rough navvy's 

 work. 



Everything is ready by May. The air Is 

 balmy; the smiling lawns are gay with a thou- 

 sand little flowers, dandelions, rock-roses, tan- 

 sies and daisies, among which the harvesting 

 Bee rolls gleefully, covering herself with pol- 

 len. With her crop full of honey and the 

 brushes of her legs befloured, the Halictus 

 returns to her village. Flying very low, al- 

 most level with the ground, she hesitates, with 

 sudden turns and bewildered movements. It 

 seems that the weak-sighted insect finds its 

 way with difficulty among the cottages of its 

 little township. 



Which is its mole-hill among the many 

 others near, all similar in appearance? It 

 cannot tell exactly save by the sign-board of 

 certain details known to itself alone. There- 

 fore, still on the wing, tacking from side to 

 side, it examines the locality. The home is 

 found at last: the Halictus alights on the 

 threshold of her abode and dives into it 

 quickly. 



374 



