OF NATURAL HISTORY. 331 



pofed of particles of wood cemented together by a glutinous fub- 

 ftance from the animal's mouth. In making a floor, fhe commen- 

 ces with gluing an annular plate of wood-duft round the internal 

 circumference of the cavity. To this plate fhe attaches a fecond, to 

 the fecond a third, and to the third a fourth, till the whole floor is 

 completed. The undermoft cell requires only a roof, and this roof 

 is a floor to the fecond, &c. 



We have hitherto defcribed the wonderful afTiduity of this animal 

 in conftruding her cells. But this operation, though great, and 

 feemingly fuperior to the powers of a creature fo fm.all, is not her 

 only labour. Before roofing in the firft cell, fhe fills it with a pafte 

 or pap, compofed of the farina of flowers moiflened with honey. 

 The quantity of pafte is equal to the dimenfions of the cell, which 

 is about an inch high, and half an inch in diameter. Into this pafte, 

 which is to nourifti the future worm, fhe depofits an egg. Immedi- 

 ately after this operation, fhe begins to form a roof, which not only 

 inclofes the firft cell, but ferves as a floor to the fecond. The fecond 

 cell fhe likewife fills with pafte, depofits an egg, and then covers 

 the whole with another roof. In this manner flie proceeds, till fhe 

 has divided the whole tube into feparate cells. A fingle tube fre- 

 quently contains from ten to a dozen of thefe cells. When the cells 

 are all inclofed, the bufinefs of this laborious bee is finifhed, and flie 

 takes no more charge of her future progeny. The attention and 

 folicitude beftowed by many other animals, in rearing their young, 

 are exerted after birth. But, in the wood-piercing bee, as vvell as 

 in many other infeds, this inftindive attachment is reverfed. All 

 her labours and all her cares are exerted before fhe either fees her 

 offspring, or knows that they are to exift. But, after the defcrip- 

 tion that has been given of her amazing operations, fhe will not be 

 confidered as an unnatural mother. With aftonifhing induftry and 

 perfeverance, fhe not only furnifhes her young with fafe and con- 



T t 2 venient 



