THE OS MI EE 
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One of the commonest OsmicE is the mason bee of Reaumur 
( Chalicodoma murarid). This species has a massive body and strong 
mandibles, which have four small teeth upon them, and its name, 
which signifies “ stone house,” is by no means badly chosen. The 
Chalicodoma inuraria. 
A male in flight. A female working at her nest. A female seen in front. 
A completed nest. 
female mason is of a velvety black colour, and the male, which is 
always smaller, is clothed with a russet pubescence, the end of the 
abdomen being black. 
Spots of earth may often be seen on walls which have a 
sunny aspect ; they are more or less egg shaped, and look like 
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