Bramble-bees and Others 



inside. Thus it is ordained by the economics 

 of the Halictus. 



An egg bent like a bow is laid upon the 

 sphere. According to the generally-accepted 

 rule, it now only remains to close the cabin. 

 Honey-gatherers — Anthophorae, Osmiae, Ma- 

 son-bees and many others — usually first collect 

 a sufficient stock of food and then, having laid 

 the egg, shut up the cell, to which they need 

 pay no more attention. The Halicti employ 

 a different method. The compartments, each 

 with its round loaf and its egg — the tenant 

 and his provisions — are not closed up. As 

 they all open into the common passage of the 

 burrow, the mother is able, without leaving 

 her other occupations, to inspect them daily 

 and enquire tenderly into the progress of her 

 family. I imagine, without possessing any 

 certain proof, that from time to time she dis- 

 tributes additional provisions to the grubs, for 

 the original loaf appears to me a very frugal 

 ration compared with that served by the other 

 Bees. 



Certain hunting Hymenoptera, the Bem- 

 bex-wasps, for instance, are accustomed to fur- 

 nish the provisions in instalments : so that the 

 grub may have fresh, though dead game, they 



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