Bramble-bees and Others 



to the bottom of the shaft and from the shaft 

 to the cells, will take part In the clearing, un- 

 der the stimulus of the approaching deliver- 

 ance. 



It is quite unnecessary here to presume 

 among these underground prisoners a con- 

 certed effort to liberate themselves more easily 

 by working In common : each Is thinking only 

 of herself and invariably returns, after rest- 

 ing, to toil at the inevitable path, the path of 

 least resistance. In short the passage once dug 

 by the mother and now more or less blocked 

 up. 



Among the Cylindrical HallctI, any one 

 who wishes emerges from her cell at her own 

 hour, without waiting for the emergence of 

 the others, because the cells, grouped in small 

 stacks, have each their special outlet opening 

 into the common gallery. The result of this 

 arrangement Is that all the Inhabitants of one 

 burrow are able to assist, each doing her share, 

 in the clearing of the exit-shaft. When she 

 feels fatigued, the worker retires to her un- 

 damaged cell and another succeeds her. Im- 

 patient to get out rather than to help the first. 

 At last the way Is clear and the Halicti 

 emerge. They disperse over the flowers 



428 



