382 THE MASON BEE. 



On comparing the down, of which it was composed* 

 with that of the Campion, Mr. K. was of opinion 

 that Sir Thomas Cullum had mistaken its composi- 

 tion, as the down of the Anemone is of a more 

 silky texture than that used in this nest. This gen- 

 tleman informs us that there were several cells or 

 cases in the lock, unconnected with each other 

 except by the wool, which wrs their common co- 

 vering. These cells were of an oval form, and had 

 an exterior coat of wool, under which there was a 

 membranaceous cell, covered with a number of 

 small vermiform masses of a brown substance, ap- 

 parently formed of pollen and honey. These were 

 laid, without any regular order, over the cell ; and, 

 by means of them, the wool which formed its ex- 

 terior coat was made, to adhere. At the summit 

 of this membranaceous case there was a small ori- 

 fice, and within it another cell, somewhat strong 

 and coriaceous, of a brown colour, and shining in 

 the inside as much as if covered with tinfoil. This 

 was supposed to be the coccoon of the larva pre- 

 viously to its assuming the pupa state. 



THE MASON BEE*. 



The Mason Bee, which is also one of the solitary 

 species, derives its name from the circumstance of 



* Abeille Maconne. Reaumur. — It is not known to which of the 

 Linnean species this bee is to be referred. Fabricius calls it Apis Mu~ 

 raria, but he has described the male for the female j and, vice versa t 

 the female for the male. 



