The Halicti : the Portress 



No less suspicious, the grandmother says 

 to each comer: 



"Show me the yellow foot of an Halictus, 

 or you won't be let in." 



None is admitted to the dwelling unless she 

 be recognized as a member of the family. 



See for yourselves. Near the burrow 

 passes an Ant, an unscrupulous adventuress, 

 who would not be sorry to know the meaning 

 of the honeyed fragrance that rises from the 

 bottom of the cellar. 



"Be off, or you'll catch it!" says the port- 

 ress, with a movement of her neck. 



As a rule the threat suffices. The Ant de- 

 camps. Should she insist, the watcher leaves 

 her sentry-box, flings herself upon the saucy 

 jade, buffets her and drives her away. The 

 moment the punishment has been adminis- 

 tered, she returns to her post. 



Next comes the turn of a Leaf-cutter 

 {Me^achile aWucbicta^ Perez), who, un- 

 skilled in the art of burrowing, utilizes, after 

 the manner of her kin, the old galleries dug 

 by others. Those of the Zebra Halictus suit 

 her very well, when the terrible Gnat has left 

 them vacant for lack of heirs. Seeking for a 

 home wherein to stack her robinia-leaf honcy- 



405 



