391 



the earth, somewhat egg-form and tolerably spacious, but 

 with a very narrow opening, just large enough, in fact, to 

 admit the body of the bee. These chambers are very nicely 

 lined with pieces of leaves, petals, or the like, which it cuts 

 beforehand to the exact shape wanted and then carries in 

 to the hole, adopting the singular method, for this purpose, 

 of wrapping the leaf round its body like a coat and thus tak- 

 ing its load along with no injury to the entrance or in fact 

 needing any opening much larger than for its bare body. 

 The pieces and bits of leaf are fitted to the interior with 

 the utmost precision, joining each other like the parts of a 

 garment, whence the name of Tailor Bee. It has only been 

 known in this country for a short time, though very familiar 

 to Europeans. His first notice of it was on the 19th of 

 June last. 



The Chair proceeded with some observations, on the geo- 

 logical feature of the place as developed during this day's 

 excursion. This spot is just on the edge of the great por- 

 phyry formation ; which forms almost the exclusive shore 

 rock between Swampscott and Chelsea, and extends back 

 inland rather more than half the depth of the township of 

 Lynn. In its length and breadth, it exhibits great diversity 

 of color, texture and hardness, some specimens being very 

 coarse and full of seams while others, as at the residence 

 of the "Lynn Hermit," George Grey, show a soundness and 

 fineness of grain, as well as a beauty of marking and 

 color, that makes them compare favorably with the porphry 

 of antique sculpture. Other specimens are very elegantly 

 banded and striped, much after the style of ribbon and for- 

 tification agates. Many specimens upon the table were used 

 in illustration of these statements. 



About a half a mile east of the Center Depot, and not far 

 from the elevation called Round Hill, is a small projecting 

 rock, formerly much larger, which has been noticed by 

 Hitchcock in the Survey of Massachusetts, and goes by the 



