UPHOLSTERER-BEES. 



61 



herself on the wing, is to prevent her falling to the 

 ground, when the piece gives way ; but as no winged 

 insect requires to take any such precaution, our ex- 

 planation is probably the true one. 



Rose leaf-cutter bees, and nest lined with rose-leaves. 



With the piece which she has thus cut out, held in 

 a bent position perpendicular to her body, she flies 

 off to her nest, and fits it into the interior with the ut- 

 most neatness and ingenuity; and, without employing 

 any paste or glue ; the trusts, as Reaumur ascertained, 

 to the spring the leaf takes, in trying to retain it in its 

 position. It requires from nine to twelve pieces of 

 leaf to form one cell, as they are not always of pre 



VOL. IV. 6 



