rS'O APIS MANIC ATA. 



tiiijr in a curve. When she has nearlv detached 

 the portion she has been employed upon from the 

 leaf, she balances her little wings for flight, lest its 

 weight should carry her to the ground ; and the 

 very moment it parts she flies off with it in tri- 

 umph, in a bent position between her legs, and 

 perpendicular to her body. 



The larvae of the Leaf-cutting Bees do not differ 

 in appearance from those of the Hive-bees. When 

 arrived at their full size, they spin a coccoon of silk, 

 thick and solid, which they attach to the sides of 

 their cell. Those produced first are from the first- 

 laid eggs ; so that, when ready to emerge into the 

 air, in passing through the bottom of their cells, they 

 do not interrupt each other's progress. These larva? 

 are exposed to the attacks of other insects, that 

 make their way into the cells and deposit there 

 their eggs. 



This mode of forming a nest is not confined to 

 the present species, as several others perform si- 

 milar operations ; but they adopt the leaves of 

 different trees for this purpose j such as the horse- 

 chesnut, the elm, &x. &c*. 



APIS MANICATAf. 



This singular little animal is very common about 

 gardens in or near towns. It is from halt an inch 

 to three quartern in length ; of a dark colour, and 



'* Kirby, i. j6;.— Reaumur, vi. 97. 124. -f Linn, 



