Chap. XII. ] THE CAEPENTEE BEE. 



419 



nial Secretary's official residence at Kandy. So soon as 

 the day grew warm, these active creatures were at work 

 perforating the wooden columns which supported the 

 verandah. They poised themselves on their shining 

 purple wings, as they made the first lodgment in the 



THE CARPENTER BEE. 



wood, enlivening the work with an uninterrupted hum 

 of delight, which was audible to a considerable distance. 

 When the excavation had proceeded so far that the 

 insect could descend into it, the music was suspended, 

 but renewed from time to time, as the little creature 

 came to the orifice to throw out the chips, to rest, or to 

 enjoy the fresh air. By degrees, a mound of saw-dust 

 was formed at the base of the pillar, consisting of par- 

 ticles abraded by the mandibles of the bee. These, 

 when the hollow was completed to the depth of several 

 inches, were partially replaced in the excavation after 

 being agglutinated to form partitions between the eggs, 

 as they were deposited within. The mandibles 1 of these 

 bees are admirably formed for the purpose of work- 

 ing out the tunnels required, being short, stout, and 

 usually furnished at the tip with two teeth which are 

 rounded somewhat into the form of cheese-cutters. 



See figure above. 



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