388 THE WOOD-PIERCER. 



tvveen the walls of the cells and the mass of paste. 

 As the animals increased in size, the paste daily di- 

 minished. He began to observe them on the 12th 

 of June; and, on the 27th of the same month, the 

 paste in each cell was nearly consumed, and the 

 worm, folded in two, occupied the greater part of 

 its habitation. On the 2d of July, the provisions of 

 both worms were entirely exhausted. The five or 

 six following days they fasted, which seemed to be 

 a necessary abstinence, during which they were 

 greatly agitated. They often bent their bodies, 

 and elevated and depressed their heads. These 

 movements were preparatory to the great change 

 that the animals were about to undergo. Between 

 the 7th and 8th of the same month they threw off 

 their skins, and were metamorphosed into nymphs ; 

 and, on the 30th of July, they became perfect 

 insects. 



In a range of cells, the w T orms are necessarily of 

 different ages, and of course of different sizes. 

 Those in the lower ones are older than those in the 

 superior j because, after the bee has filled with 

 paste and inclosed the first cell, a considerable time 

 is requisite to collect provisions, and to form parti- 

 tions for every successive and superior cell. The 

 former, therefore, must be transformed into nymphs 

 and flies before the latter. These circumstances 

 would almost appear to be foreseen by the common 

 mother ; for, if the undermost worm, which is the 

 oldest, and soonest transformed, was to force its 

 way upward, which it could easily do, it would not 

 only disturb, but infallibly destroy all those lodged 



