278 HYMENOPTERA. 
Lucy, Any sort of leaf, I suppose, 
serves for these nests ? 
Mother, There are three or four va- 
rieties of leaf-cutter bees, and each of 
them has its favourite tree ; tlie apis cen- 
tuncularis usually employs the rose leaf. 
Have you never observed rose leaves, 
with round pieces cut out of them ? 
Lucy. Indeed I have ; but I never 
should have guessed that any thing so 
exactly round could have been cut by 
a bee ; how does it cut the leaf so 
nicely ? 
Mother, With her mandibles, or 
jaws, which are both strong, and sharp ; 
alighting on the edge of the leaf, she 
holds it between her fore feet, and rapidly 
moving forward she separates a piece, of 
the precise shape and dimensions that 
she wants, though unprovided with either 
scale, or compasses. At the last nip she 
gives, she spreads her wings, and in- 
stantly flies away with her prize. 
Lucy, That is very pretty ; I will 
