72 STUDIES IN INSECT LIFE, ETC. 



up too early with them is as fatal as not getting 

 up at all. The retreat of the queen, at any rate 

 in the species B. lapidarius, is often revealed by 

 little heaps of sand or earth, excavated as she 

 tunnels the bank to a depth of two or three inches. 

 At the end of the tunnel she carves a spherical cell 

 an inch or more in diameter. At first she sleeps but 

 lightly, and if disturbed by any cause will emerge 

 from her "cell" and fly away to build another; 

 but as winter approaches and the days become 

 cold, she sinks into a deep lethargy, simulating 

 death. This torpor lasts eight or nine months. 

 Those species who go early to bed begin to stir as 

 early as March ; those that retire later may not 

 resume their activities until May or even June. 



As the spring advances the queens reappear, 

 and " may be seen busily rifling the peach blos- 

 som, willow catkins and purple dead-nettle," 

 but at first they nightly retire to their hiding 

 places. Soon, however, as the days lengthen, 

 the desire for starting the colony becomes irre- 

 sistible, and a home is sought out, usually one 

 already made and abandoned by some field mouse 

 or other small (burrowing) mammal. For most of 

 the nests are underground, and are approached 

 by a tunnel which may be three feet in length. 



