280 HYMKNOPTERA. 
feet, and then glues three or four layers 
of them round the cavity in the ground, 
which is about three inches deep. Hav- 
ing lodged the proper quantity of bee 
bread, and placed her egg, she covers 
them over with the same leaves, at the 
height of an inch from the bottom of the 
hole ; and lastly, she fills the remaining 
two inches of the passage with earth. 
For each egg she makes a separate nest. 
By the time the worm has consumed th« 
stock of food, it changes to a nymph; 
and the next summer, when the poppies 
are in flower, the bee comes out, and 
follows the industrious example of its 
parent. 
Lucy. How^ nicely it is contrived, 
that the bee shouhl just come to perfec- 
tion at the season when the scarlet 
tapestry and carpets are quite ready for 
its use ! 
Mother. Yes, my dear Lucy, the 
same power, that impresses these insects 
with certain habits, assigns the means of 
