ANIMAL AVOCATIONS 
235 
bee manages to cut the portion of leaves to the 
required shape and size is a matter for wonder, 
and although no great degree of mathematical 
precision is required or can be expected in 
the accomplishment of this task, yet there can 
be little doubt that the insect has at least some 
idea as to what is necessary, and “ cuts its 
cloth ” accordingly. 
The leaves generally used in the construction 
of the cells are those of the rose, the poplar, 
the privet, the hornbeam and the poppy. 
In addition to its qualification as a tailor 
or cutter-out, the bee also follows the vocation 
of a cook, for it makes a sort of pudding by 
collecting pollen and nectar from flowers, and 
almost fills the cells with the mixture. It must 
be mentioned, however, that only the females 
are workers, the males leading a frivolous life 
unattended with parental cares. 
Within each cell a single egg is laid, and the 
entrance is then sealed up with circular pieces 
of leaves. After an interval of a few days the 
grubs hatch out and commence to feed upon 
the dainty fare that has been provided for 
their needs. 
When they have eaten up all their food they 
spin a cocoon of silk around themselves, and 
lie dormant throughout the winter months; 
but at the end of the following spring the larvae 
