204 



THE INDUSTRIES OF ANIMALS. 



and exhibits individual initiative and skill as great 

 as the swallows. The females accomplish the work 

 which I am about to describe. The little cells which 

 they build are arranged, to the number of eight or 

 ten together, in the most various places ; sometimes 

 on a pebble, sometimes on a branch, or, again, on a 

 stone wall. (Fig. 36.) The insect collects earth as 

 fine as possible, such as the dust of a trodden path, 

 and tempers it with its own saliva. It places side 



Fig. 36. 



by side these little balls of mortar and the work soon 

 takes the form of a cupola, to the edge of which it 

 constantly adds new deposits. The sun quickly dries 

 the hole and gives it the necessary consistence. 

 When the cell has acquired sufficient height, the 

 Chalicodoma abandons its occupation of mason, and 

 visits flowers for pollen and nectar wherewith to fill 

 the little chamber. It goes back to the nest, dis- 

 gorges its supply, and returns to the field, until the 



