Whywereyounotherewithme，reveredmaster，onthebanksoftheAygues，whichisavastexpanseofpebblesforthree-fourthsoftheyearandamightytorrentwhenitrains？Ishouldhaveshownyousomethinginfinitelybetterthanthefugitiveescapingfromtheforceps。Youwouldhavewitnessed——andinsodoing，wouldhavesharedmysurprise——notthebriefflightoftheMasonwho，carriedtothenearestroom，releasesherselfandforthwithreturnstohernestinthatfamiliarneighbourhood，butlongjourneysthroughunknowncountry。YouwouldhaveseentheBeewhomIcarriedtoagreatdistancefromherhome，toquiteunfamiliarground，findherwaybackwithageographicalsenseofwhichtheSwallow，theMartinandtheCarrier-pigeonwouldnothavebeenashamed；andyouwouldhaveaskedyourself，asIdid，whatincomprehensibleknowledgeofthelocalmapguidesthatmotherseekinghernest。
Tocometofacts：itisamatterofrepeatingwiththeMason-beeoftheWallsmyformerexperimentswiththeCerceris-wasps（Cf。"InsectLife"：chapter19。——Translator’sNote。），ofcarryingtheinsect，inthedark，alongwayfromitsnest，markingitandthenleavingittoitsownresources。Incaseanyoneshouldwishtotrytheexperimentforhimself，Imakehimapresentofmymannerofoperation，whichmaysavehimtimeattheoutset。Theinsectintendedforalongjourneymustobviouslybehandledwithcertainprecautions。Theremustbenoforcepsemployed，nopincers，whichmightmaimawing，strainitandweakenthepowerofflight。WhiletheBeeisinhercell，absorbedinherwork，Iplaceasmallglasstest-tubeoverit。TheMason，whenshefliesaway，rushesintothetube，whichenablesme，withouttouchingher，totransferheratonceintoascrewofpaper。ThisIquicklyclose。Atinbox，anordinarybotanizing-case，servestoconveytheprisoners，eachinherseparatepaperbag。
Themostdelicatebusiness，thatofmarkingeachcaptivebeforesettingherfree，islefttobedoneonthespotselectedforthestarting-point。Iusefinely-powderedchalk，steepedinastrongsolutionofgumarabic。Themixture，appliedtosomepartoftheinsectwithastraw，leavesawhitepatch，whichsoondriesandadherestothefleece。WhenaparticularMason-beehastobemarkedsoastodistinguishherfromanotherinshortexperiments，suchasI
shalldescribepresently，Iconfinemyselftotouchingthetipoftheabdomenwithmystrawwhiletheinsectishalfinthecell，headdownwards。TheslighttouchisnotnoticedbytheBee，whocontinuesherworkquiteundisturbed；butthemarkisnotverydeepandmoreoveritisinaratherbadplaceforanyprolongedexperiment，fortheBeeisconstantlybrushingherbellytodetachthepollenandissuretorubitoffsoonerorlater。Ithereforemakeanotherone，droppingthestickychalkrightinthemiddleofthethorax，betweenthewings。
Itishardlypossibletowearglovesatthiswork：thefingersneedalltheirdeftnesstotakeuptherestlessBeedelicatelyandtooverpowerherwithoutroughpressure。Itiseasilyseenthat，thoughthejobmayyieldnootherprofit，youareatleastsureofbeingstung。Thestingcanbeavoidedwithalittledexterity，butnotalways。Youhavetoputupwithit。Inanycase，theMason-bee’sstingisfarlesspainfulthanthatoftheHive-bee。Thewhitespotisdroppedonthethorax；theMasonfliesoff；andthemarkdriesonthejourney。
IstartwithtwoMason-beesoftheWallsworkingattheirnestsonthepebblesinthealluviaoftheAygues，notfarfromSerignan。IcarrythemhomewithmetoOrange，whereIreleasethemaftermarkingthem。
Accordingtotheordnance-surveymap，thedistanceisabouttwoandahalfmilesasthecrowflies。Thecaptivesaresetatlibertyintheevening，atatimewhentheBeesbegintoleaveoffworkfortheday。
ItisthereforeprobablethatmytwoBeeswillspendtheirnightintheneighbourhood。
Nextmorning，Igotothenests。Theweatherisstilltoocoolandtheworksaresuspended。Whenthedewhasgone，theMasonsbeginwork。I
seeone，butwithoutawhitespot，bringingpollentooneofthenestswhichhadbeenoccupiedbythetravellerswhomIamexpecting。Sheisastrangerwho，findingthecellwhoseownerImyselfhadexileduntenanted，hasinstalledherselfthereandmadeitherproperty，notknowingthatitisalreadythepropertyofanother。Shehasperhapsbeenvictuallingitsinceyesterdayevening。Closeuponteno’clock，whentheheatisatitsfull，themistressofthehousesuddenlyarrives：hertitle-deedsastheoriginaloccupantareinscribedformeinundeniablecharactersonherthoraxwhitewithchalk。Hereisoneofmytravellersback。
Overwavingcorn，overfieldsallpinkwithsainfoin，shehascoveredthetwomilesandahalf；andheresheis，backatthenest，afterforagingontheway，forthedoughtycreaturearriveswithherabdomenyellowwithpollen。Tocomehomeagainfromthevergeofthehorizoniswonderfulinitself；tocomehomewithawell-filledpollen-brushissuperlativeeconomy。Ajourney，evenaforcedjourney，alwaysbecomesaforaging-expedition。
Shefindsthestrangerinthenest：
’What’sthis？I’llteachyou！’
Andtheownerfallsfuriouslyupontheintruder，whopossiblywasmeaningnoharm。Ahotchaseinmid-airnowtakesplacebetweenthetwoMasons。Fromtimetotime，theyhoveralmostwithoutmovement，facetoface，withonlyacoupleofinchesseparatingthem，andhere，doubtlessmeasuringforceswiththeireyes，theybuzzinsultsateachother。Thentheygobackandalightonthenestindispute，firstone，thentheother。Iexpecttoseethemcometoblows，tomakethemdrawtheirstings。Butmyhopesaredisappointed：thedutiesofmaternityspeakintooimperiousavoiceforthemtorisktheirlivesandwipeouttheinsultinamortalduel。Thewholethingisconfinedtohostiledemonstrationsandafewinsignificantcuffs。
Nevertheless，therealproprietressseemstoderivedoublecourageanddoublestrengthfromthefeelingthatsheisinherrights。Shetakesupapermanentpositiononthenestandreceivestheother，eachtimethatsheventurestoapproach，withanangryquiverofherwings，anunmistakablesignofherrighteousindignation。Thestranger，atlastdiscouraged，retiresfromthefield。ForthwiththeMasonresumesherwork，asactivelyasthoughshehadnotjustundergonethehardshipsofalongjourney。
Onemorewordonthesequarrelsaboutproperty。Itisnotunusual，whenoneMason-beeisawayonanexpedition，foranother，somehomelessvagabond，tocallatthenest，takeafancytoitandsettoworkonit，sometimesatthesamecell，sometimesatthenext，ifthereareseveralvacant，whichisgenerallythecaseintheoldnests。Thefirstoccupier，onherreturn，neverfailstodriveawaytheintruder，whoalwaysendsbybeingturnedout，sokeenandinvincibleisthemistress’senseofownership。ReversingthesavagePrussianmaxim，’Mightisright，’amongtheMason-beesrightismight，forthereisnootherexplanationoftheinvariableretreatoftheusurper，whosestrengthisnotawhitinferiortothatoftherealowner。Ifsheislessbold，thisisbecauseshehasnotthetremendousmoralsupportofknowingherselfintheright，whichmakesitselfrespected，amongequals，eveninthebrutecreation。
Thesecondofmytravellersdoesnotreappear，eitheronthedaywhenthefirstarrivedoronthefollowingdays。Idecideuponanotherexperiment，onthisoccasionwithfivesubjects。Thestarting-placeisthesame；andtheplaceofarrival，thedistance，thetimeofday，allremainunchanged。OfthefivewithwhomIexperiment，Ifindthreeattheirnestsnextday；thetwoothersaremissing。
ItisthereforefullyestablishedthattheMason-beeoftheWalls，carriedtoadistanceoftwoandahalfmilesandreleasedataplacewhichshehascertainlyneverseenbefore，isabletoreturntothenest。Butwhydofirstoneoutoftwoandthentwooutoffivefailtojointheirfellows？Whatonecandocannotanotherdo？Isthereadifferenceinthefacultythatguidesthemoverunknownground？Orisitnotratheradifferenceinflying-power？IrememberthatmyBeesdidnotallstartoffwiththesamevigour。Somewerehardlyoutofmyfingersbeforetheydartedfuriouslyintotheair，whereIatoncelostsightofthem，whereastheotherscamedroppingdownafewyardsawayfromme，afterashortflight。Thelatter，itseemscertain，musthavesufferedonthejourney，perhapsfromtheheatconcentratedinthefurnaceofmybox。OrImayhavehurtthearticulationofthewingsinmarkingthem，anoperationdifficulttoperformwhenyouareguardingagainststings。Thesearemaimed，feeblecreatures，whowilllingerinthesainfoin-fieldscloseby，andnotthepowerfulaviatorsrequiredbythejourney。
Theexperimentmustbetriedagain，takingcountonlyoftheBeeswhostartoffstraightfrombetweenmyfingerswithaclean，vigorousflight。Thewaverers，thelaggardswhostopalmostatonceonsomebushshallbeleftoutofthereckoning。Moreover，Iwilldomybesttoestimatethetimetakeninreturningtothenest。Foranexperimentofthiskind，Ineedplentyofsubjects，astheweakandthemaimed，ofwhomtheremaybemany，aretobedisregarded。TheMason-beeoftheWallsisunabletosupplymewiththerequisitenumber：therearenotenoughofher；andIamanxiousnottointerferetoomuchwiththelittleAygues-sidecolony，forwhomIhaveotherexperimentsinview。
Fortunately，Ihaveatmyownplace，undertheeavesofashed，amagnificentnestofChalicodomasiculainfullactivity。IcandrawtowhateverextentIpleaseonthepopulouscity。Theinsectissmall，lessthanhalfthesizeofC。muraria，butnomatter：itwilldeserveallthemorecreditifitcantraversethetwomilesandahalfinstoreforitandfinditswaybacktothenest。ItakefortyBees，isolatingthem，asusual，inscrewsofpaper。
Inordertoreachthenest，Iplacealadderagainstthewall：itwillbeusedbymydaughterAglaeandwillenablehertomarktheexactmomentofthereturnofthefirstBee。Isettheclockonthemantelpieceandmywatchatthesametime，sothatwemaycomparetheinstantofdepartureandofarrival。Thingsbeingthusarranged，I
carryoffmyfortycaptivesandgototheidenticalspotwhereC。
murariaworks，inthepebblybedoftheAygues。Thetripwillhaveadoubleobject：toobserveReaumur’sMasonandtosettheSicilianMasonatliberty。Thelatter，therefore，willalsohavetwoandahalfmilestotravelhome。
Atlastmyprisonersarereleased，allofthembeingfirstmarkedwithabigwhitedotinthemiddleofthethorax。
Youdonotcomeoffscot-freewhenhandlingoneaftertheotherfortywrathfulBees，whopromptlyunsheatheandbrandishtheirpoisonedstings。Thestabisbuttoooftengivenbeforethemarkismade。Mysmartingfingersmakemovementsofself-defencewhichmywillisnotalwaysabletocontrol。Itakeholdwithgreaterprecautionformyselfthanfortheinsect；IsometimessqueezeharderthanIoughttoifI
amtosparemytravellers。Toexperimentsoastolift，ifpossible，atinycorneroftheveiloftruthisafineandnoblething，amightystimulantinthefaceofdanger；butstillonemaybeexcusedfordisplayingsomeimpatiencewhenitisamatterofreceivingfortystingsinone’sfingersatoneshortsitting。Ifanymanshouldreproachmeforbeingtoocarelesswithmythumbs，Iwouldsuggestthatheshouldhaveatry：hecanthenjudgeforhimselfthepleasuresofthesituation。
Tocutalongstoryshort，eitherthroughthefatigueofthejourney，orthroughmyfingerspressingtoohardandperhapsinjuringsomearticulations，onlytwentyoutofmyfortyBeesstartwithabold，vigorousflight。Theothers，unabletokeeptheirbalance，wanderaboutonthenearestbitofgrassorremainontheosier-shootsonwhichIhaveplacedthem，refusingtoflyevenwhenIticklethemwithastraw。Theseweaklings，thesecripples，theseincapablesinjuredbymyfingersmustbestruckoffmylist。Thosewhostartedwithanunhesitatingflightnumberabouttwenty。Thatisample。
Attheactualmomentofdeparture，thereisnothingdefiniteaboutthedirectiontaken，noneofthatstraightflighttothenestwhichtheCerceris-waspsonceshowedmeinsimilarcircumstances。Assoonastheyareliberated，theMason-beesfleeasthoughscared，someinonedirection，someinexactlytheoppositedirection。Nevertheless，asfarastheirimpetuousflightallows，IseemtoperceiveaquickreturnonthepartofthoseBeeswhohavestartedflyingtowardsapointoppositetotheirhome；andthemajorityappeartometobemakingforthosebluedistanceswheretheirnestlies。IleavethisquestionwithcertaindoubtswhichareinevitableinthecaseofinsectswhichIcannotfollowwithmyeyesformorethantwentyyards。
Hitherto，theoperationhasbeenfavouredbycalmweather；butnowthingsbecomecomplicated。Theheatisstiflingandtheskybecomesstormy。Astiffbreezespringsup，blowingfromthesouth，theverydirectionwhichmyBeesmusttaketoreturntothenest。Cantheyovercomethisopposingcurrentandcleavetheaerialtorrentwiththeirwings？Iftheytry，theywillhavetoflyclosetotheground，asInowseetheBeesdowhocontinuetheirforaging；butsoaringtoloftyregions，whencetheycanobtainaclearviewofthecountry，is，soitseemstome，prohibited。IamthereforeveryapprehensiveastothesuccessofmyexperimentwhenIreturntoOrange，afterfirsttryingtostealsomefreshsecretfromtheAyguesMason-beeofthePebbles。
IhavescarcelyreachedthehousebeforeAglaegreetsme，hercheeksflushedwithexcitement：
’Two！’shecries。’Twocamebackattwentyminutestothree，withaloadofpollenundertheirbellies！’
Afriendofminehadappeareduponthescene，agravemanofthelaw，whoonhearingwhatwashappening，hadneglectedcodeandstampedpaperandinsisteduponalsobeingpresentatthearrivalofmyCarrier-pigeons。Theresultinterestedhimmorethanhiscaseaboutaparty-wall。Underatropicalsun，inafurnaceheatreflectedfromthewalloftheshed，everyfiveminutesheclimbedtheladderbare-
headed，withnootherprotectionagainstsunstrokethanhisthatchofthick，greylocks。InsteadoftheoneobserverwhomIhadposted，I
foundtwogoodpairsofeyeswatchingtheBees’return。
Ihadreleasedmyinsectsatabouttwoo’clock；andthefirstarrivalsreturnedtothenestattwentyminutestothree。Theyhadthereforetakenlessthanthree-quartersofanhourtocoverthetwomilesandahalf，averystrikingresult，especiallywhenwerememberthattheBeesdidsomeforagingontheroad，aswasprovedbytheyellowpollenontheirbellies，andthat，ontheotherhand，thetravellers’flightmusthavebeenhinderedbythewindblowingagainstthem。Threemorecamehomebeforemyeyes，eachwithherloadofpollen，anoutwardandvisiblesignoftheworkdoneonthejourney。Asitwasgrowinglate，ourobservationshadtocease。Whenthesungoesdown，theMason-beesleavethenestandtakerefugesomewhereorother，perhapsunderthetilesoftheroofs，orinlittlecornersofthewalls。Icouldnotreckononthearrivaloftheothersbeforeworkwasresumed，inthefullsunshine。
Nextday，whenthesunrecalledthescatteredworkerstothenest，I
tookafreshcensusofBeeswithawhitespotonthethorax。Mysuccessexceededallmyhopes：Icountedfifteen，fifteenofthetransportedprisonersofthedaybefore，storingtheircellsorbuildingasthoughnothingoutofthewayhadhappened。Theweatherhadbecomemoreandmorethreatening；andnowthestormburstandwasfollowedbyasuccessionofrainydayswhichpreventedmefromcontinuing。
Theexperimentsufficesasitstands。OfsometwentyBeeswhohadseemedfittomakethelongjourneywhenIreleasedthem，fifteenatleasthadreturned：twowithinthefirsthour，threeinthecourseoftheeveningandtherestnextmorning。Theyhadreturnedinspiteofhavingthewindagainstthemand——agraverdifficultystill——inspiteofbeingunacquaintedwiththelocalitytowhichIhadtransportedthem。Thereis，infact，nodoubtthattheyweresettingeyesforthefirsttimeonthoseosier-bedsoftheAygueswhichIhadselectedasthestarting-point。Neverwouldtheyhavetravelledsofarafieldoftheirownaccord，foreverythingthattheywantforbuildingandvictuallingundertheroofofmyshediswithineasyreach。Thepathatthefootofthewallsuppliesthemortar；theflowerymeadowssurroundingmyhousefurnishnectarandpollen。Economicaloftheirtimeastheyare，theydonotgoflyingtwomilesandahalfinsearchofwhataboundsatafewyardsfromthenest。Besides，Iseethemdailytakingtheirbuilding-materialsfromthepathandgatheringtheirharvestonthewild-flowers，especiallyonthemeadowsage。Toallappearance，theirexpeditionsdonotcovermorethanaradiusofahundredyardsorso。Thenhowdidmyexilesreturn？Whatguidedthem？
Itwascertainlynotmemory，butsomespecialfacultywhichwemustcontentourselveswithrecognizingbyitsastonishingeffectswithoutpretendingtoexplainit，sogreatlydoesittranscendourownpsychology。
CHAPTER3。EXCHANGINGTHENESTS。
LetuscontinueourseriesoftestswiththeMason-beeoftheWalls。
Thankstoitspositiononapebblewhichwecanmoveatwill，thenestofthisBeelendsitselftomostinterestingexperiments。Hereisthefirst：Ishiftanestfromitsplace，thatistosay，Icarrythepebblewhichservesasitssupporttoaspottwoyardsaway。Astheedificeanditsbaseformbutone，theremovalisperformedwithoutthesmallestdisturbanceofthecells。Ilaytheboulderinanexposedplacewhereitiswellinview，asitwasonitsoriginalsite。TheBeereturningfromherharvestcannotfailtoseeit。
Inafewminutes，theownerarrivesandgoesstraighttowheretheneststood。Shehoversgracefullyoverthevacantsite，examinesandalightsupontheexactspotwherethestoneusedtolie。Hereshewalksaboutforalongtime，makingpersistentsearches；thentheBeetakeswingandfliesawaytosomedistance。Herabsenceisofshortduration。Heresheisbackagain。Thesearchisresumed，walkingandflying，andalwaysonthesitewhichthenestoccupiedatfirst。A
freshfitofexasperation，thatistosay，anabruptflightacrosstheosier-bed，isfollowedbyafreshreturnandarenewalofthevainsearch，alwaysuponthemarkleftbytheshiftedpebble。Thesesuddendepartures，thesepromptreturns，theseperseveringinspectionsofthedesertedspotcontinueforalongtime，averylongtime，beforetheMasonisconvincedthathernestisgone。Shehascertainlyseenit，hasseenitoverandoveragaininitsnewposition，forsometimesshehasflownonlyafewinchesaboveit；butshetakesnonoticeofit。
Toher，itisnothernest，butthepropertyofanotherBee。
OftentheexperimentendswithoutsomuchasasinglevisittotheboulderwhichIhavemovedtwoorthreeyardsaway：theBeegoesoffanddoesnotreturn。Ifthedistancebeless，ayardforinstance，theMasonsoonerorlateralightsonthestonewhichsupportsherabode。
Sheinspectsthecellwhichshewasbuildingorprovisioningalittlewhilebefore，repeatedlydipsherheadintoit，examinesthesurfaceofthepebblestepbystepand，afterlonghesitations，goesandresumeshersearchonthesitewherethehomeoughttobe。Thenestthatisnolongerinitsnaturalplaceisdefinitelyabandoned，eventhoughitbebutayardawayfromtheoriginalspot。VainlydoestheBeesettleonittimeaftertime：shecannotrecognizeitashers。I
wasconvincedofthisonfindingit，severaldaysaftertheexperiment，injustthesameconditionaswhenImovedit。Theopencellhalf-filledwithhoneywasstillopenandwassurrenderingitscontentstothepillagingAnts；thecellthatwasbuildinghadremainedunfinished，withnotasinglelayeraddedtoit。TheBee，obviously，mayhavereturnedtoit；butshehadnotresumedworkuponit。Thetransplanteddwellingwasabandonedforgoodandall。
IwillnotdeducethestrangeparadoxthattheMason-bee，thoughcapableoffindinghernestfromthevergeofthehorizon，isincapableoffindingitatayard’sdistance：Iinterprettheoccurrenceasmeaningsomethingquitedifferent。Theproperinferenceappearstometobethis：theBeeretainsarootedimpressionofthesiteoccupiedbythenestandreturnstoitwithunwearyingpersistenceevenwhenthenestisgone。Butshehasonlyaveryvaguenotionofthenestitself。Shedoesnotrecognizethemasonrywhichsheherselfhaserectedandkneadedwithhersaliva；shedoesnotknowthepollen-pastewhichsheherselfhasstored。Invainsheinspectshercell，herownhandiwork；sheabandonsit，refusingtoacknowledgeitashers，oncethespotwhereonthepebblerestsischanged。
Insectmemory，itmustbeconfessed，isastrangeone，displayingsuchlucidityinitsgeneralacquaintancewithlocalityandsuchlimitationsinitsknowledgeofthedwelling。Ifeelinclinedtocallittopographicalinstinct：itgraspsthemapofthecountryandnotthebelovednest，thehomeitself。TheBembex-wasps（Cf。"InsectLife"：chapters16to19。——Translator’sNote。）havealreadyledustoalikeconclusion。Whenthenestislaidopen，theseWaspsbecomewhollyindifferenttothefamily，tothegrubwrithinginagonyinthesun。Theydonotrecognizeit。Whattheydorecognize，whattheyseekandfindwithmarvellousprecision，isthesiteoftheentrance-doorofwhichnothingatallisleft，noteventhethreshold。
IfanydoubtsremainedastotheincapacityoftheMason-beeoftheWallstoknowhernestotherthanbytheplacewhichthepebbleoccupiesontheground，hereissomethingtoremovethem：forthenestofoneMason-bee，Isubstitutethatofanother，resemblingitascloselyaspossibleinrespecttobothmasonryandstorage。ThisexchangeandthoseofwhichIshallspeakpresentlyareofcoursemadeintheowner’sabsence。TheBeesettleswithouthesitationinthisnestwhichisnothers，butwhichstandswheretheotherdid。Ifshewasbuilding，Iofferheracellinprocessofbuilding。Shecontinuesthemasonrywiththesamecareandthesamezealasiftheworkalreadydonewereherownwork。Ifshewasfetchinghoneyandpollen，Iofferherapartly-provisionedcell。Shecontinuesherjourneys，withhoneyinhercropandpollenunderherbelly，tofinishfillinganother’swarehouse。TheBee，therefore，doesnotsuspecttheexchange；shedoesnotdistinguishbetweenwhatisherpropertyandwhatisnot；sheimaginesthatsheisstillworkingatthecellwhichisreallyhers。
Afterleavingherforatimeinpossessionofthestrangenest，Igiveherbackherown。ThisfreshchangepassesunperceivedbytheBee：theworkiscontinuedinthecellrestoredtoheratthepointwhichithadreachedinthesubstitutedcell。Ioncemorereplaceitbythestrangenest；andagaintheinsectpersistsincontinuingitslabour。
Bythusconstantlyinterchangingthestrangenestandthepropernest，withoutalteringtheactualsite，IthoroughlyconvincedmyselfoftheBee’sinabilitytodiscriminatebetweenwhatisherworkandwhatisnot。Whetherthecellbelongtoherortoanother，shelaboursatitwithequalzest，solongasthebasisoftheedifice，thepebble，continuestooccupyitsoriginalposition。
Theexperimentreceivesanaddedinterestifweemploytwoneighbouringneststheworkonwhichisaboutequallyadvanced。Imoveeachtowheretheotherstood。Theyarenotmuchmorethanthirtyinchesapart。Inspiteoftheirbeingsoneartoeachotherthatitisquitepossiblefortheinsectstoseebothhomesatonceandchoosebetweenthem，eachBee，onarriving，settlesimmediatelyonthesubstitutednestandcontinuesherworkthere。ChangethetwonestsasoftenasyoupleaseandyoushallseethetwoMason-beeskeeptothesitewhichtheyselectedandlabourinturnnowattheirowncellandnowattheother’s。
Onemightthinkthatthecauseofthisconfusionliesinacloseresemblancebetweenthetwonests，foratthestart，littleexpectingtheresultswhichIwastoobtain，IusedtochoosethenestswhichI
interchangedasmuchalikeaspossible，forfearofdishearteningtheBees。Ineednothavetakenthisprecaution：Iwasgivingtheinsectcreditforaperspicacitywhichitdoesnotpossess。Indeed，Inowtaketwonestswhichareextremelyunlikeeachother，theonlypointofresemblancebeingthat，ineachcase，thetoilerfindsacellinwhichshecancontinuetheworkwhichsheisactuallydoing。Thefirstisanoldnestwhosedomeisperforatedwitheightholes，theaperturesofthecellsofthepreviousgeneration。Oneofthesecellshasbeenrepaired；andtheBeeisbusystoringit。Thesecondisanestofrecentconstruction，whichhasnotreceiveditsmortardomeandconsistsofasinglecellwithitsstuccocovering。Heretootheinsectisbusyhoardingpollen-paste。Notwonestscouldpresentgreaterdifferences：onewithitseightemptychambersanditsspreadingclaydome；theotherwithitssinglebarecell，atmostthesizeofanacorn。
Well，thetwoMason-beesdonothesitatelonginfrontoftheseexchangednests，notthreefeetawayfromeachother。Eachmakesforthesiteofherlatehome。One，theoriginalowneroftheoldnest，findsnothingbutasolitarycell。Sherapidlyinspectsthepebbleand，withoutfurtherformalities，firstplungesherheadintothestrangecell，todisgorgehoney，andthenherabdomen，todepositpollen。Andthisisnotanactionduetotheimperativeneedofriddingherselfasquicklyaspossible，nomatterwhere，ofanirksomeload，fortheBeefliesoffandsooncomesbackagainwithafreshsupplyofprovender，whichshestoresawaycarefully。Thiscarryingofprovisionstoanother’slarderisrepeatedasoftenasIpermitit。
TheotherBee，findinginsteadofheronecellaroomystructureconsistingofeightapartments，isatfirstnotalittleembarrassed。
Whichoftheeightcellsistherightone？Inwhichistheheapofpasteonwhichshehadbegun？TheBeethereforevisitsthechambersonebyone，divesrightdowntothebottomandendsbyfindingwhatsheseeks，thatistosay，whatwasinhernestwhenshestartedonherlastjourney，thenucleusofastoreoffood。Thenceforwardshebehaveslikeherneighbourandgoesoncarryinghoneyandpollentothewarehousewhichisnotofherconstructing。
Restoretheneststotheiroriginalplaces，exchangethemyetonceagainandbothBees，afterashorthesitationwhichthegreatdifferencebetweenthetwonestsisenoughtoexplain，willpursuetheworkinthecellofherownmakingandinthestrangecellalternately。Atlasttheeggislaidandthesanctuaryclosed，nomatterwhatnesthappenstobeoccupiedatthemomentwhentheprovisioningreachescompletion。TheseincidentsaresufficienttoshowwhyIhesitatetogivethenameofmemorytothesingularfacultythatbringstheinsectbacktohernestwithsuchunerringprecisionandyetdoesnotallowhertodistinguishherworkfromsomeoneelse’s，howevergreatthedifferencemaybe。
WewillnowexperimentwithChalicodomamurariafromanotherpsychologicalpointofview。HereisaMason-beebuilding；sheisatworkonthefirstcourseofhercell。Igiveherinexchangeacellnotonlyfinishedasastructure，butalsofillednearlytothetopwithhoney。Ihavejuststolenitfromitsowner，whowouldnothavebeenlongbeforelayingheregginit。WhatwilltheMasondointhepresenceofthismunificentgift，whichsavesherthetroubleofbuildingandharvesting？Shewillleavethemortarnodoubt，finishstoringtheBee-bread，layhereggandsealup。Amistake，anuttermistake：ourlogicisnotthelogicoftheinsect，whichobeysaninevitable，unconsciousprompting。Ithasnochoiceastowhatitshalldo；itcannotdiscriminatebetweenwhatisandwhatisnotadvisable；itglides，asitwere，downanirresistibleslopepreparedbeforehandtobringittoadefiniteend。Thisiswhatthefactsthatstillremaintobestatedproclaimwithnouncertainvoice。
TheBeewhowasbuildingandtowhomIofferacellready-builtandfullofhoneydoesnotlayasidehermortarforthat。Shewasdoingmason’swork；and，onceonthattack，guidedbytheunconsciousimpulse，shehastokeepmasoning，eventhoughherlabourbeuseless，superfluousandopposedtoherinterests。ThecellwhichIgiveheriscertainlyperfect，lookeduponasabuilding，intheopinionofthemaster-builderherself，sincetheBeefromwhomItookitwascompletingtheprovisionofhoney。Totouchitup，especiallytoaddtoit，isuselessand，whatismore，absurd。Nomatter：theBeewhowasmasoningwillmason。Ontheapertureofthehoney-storeshelaysafirstcourseofmortar，followedbyanotherandyetanother，untilatlastthecellisathirdtallerthentheregulationheight。Themasonry-taskisnowdone，notasperfectly，itistrue，asiftheBeehadgoneonwiththecellwhosefoundationsshewaslayingatthemomentwhenIexchangedthenests，butstilltoanextentwhichismorethanenoughtoprovetheoverpoweringimpulsewhichthebuilderobeys。Nextcomesthevictualling，whichisalsocutshort，lestthehoney-storeswelledbythejointcontributionsofthetwoBeesshouldoverflow。ThustheMason-beewhoisbeginningtobuildandtowhomwegiveacompletecell，acellfilledwithhoney，makesnochangeintheorderofherwork：shebuildsfirstandthenvictuals。Onlysheshortensherwork，herinstinctwarningherthattheheightofthecellandthequantityofhoneyarebeginningtoassumeextravagantproportions。
Theconverseisequallyconclusive。ToaMason-beeengagedinvictuallingIgiveanestwithacellonlyjustbegunandnotatallfittoreceivethepaste。Thiscell，withitslastcoursestillwetwithitsbuilder’ssaliva，mayormaynotbeaccompaniedbyothercellsrecentlyclosedup，eachwithitshoneyanditsegg。TheBee，findingthisintheplaceofherhalf-filledhoney-store，isgreatlyperplexedwhattodowhenshecomeswithherharvesttothisunfinished，shallowcup，inwhichthereisnoplacetoputthehoney。
Sheinspectsit，measuresitwithhereyes，triesitwithherantennaeandrecognizesitsinsufficientcapacity。Shehesitatesforalongtime，goesaway，comesback，fliesawayagainandsoonreturns，eagertodeposithertreasure。Theinsect’sembarrassmentismostevident；
andIcannothelpsaying，inwardly：
’Getsomemortar，getsomemortarandfinishmakingthewarehouse。Itwillonlytakeyouafewmoments；andyouwillhaveacupboardoftherightdepth。’
TheBeethinksdifferently：shewasstoringhercellandshemustgoonstoring，comewhatmay。Neverwillshebringherselftolayasidethepollen-brushforthetrowel；neverwillshesuspendtheforagingwhichisoccupyingheratthismomenttobegintheworkofconstructionwhichisnotyetdue。Shewillrathergoinsearchofastrangecell，inthedesiredcondition，andslipintheretodepositherhoney，attheriskofmeetingwithawarmreceptionfromtheirateowner。Shegoesoff，infact，totryherluck。Iwishhersuccess，beingmyselfthecauseofthisdesperateact。Mycuriosityhasturnedanhonestworkerintoarobber。
Thingsmaytakeastillmoreseriousturn，soinvincible，soimperiousisthedesiretohavethebootystoredinasafeplacewithoutdelay。
TheuncompletedcellwhichtheBeerefusestoacceptinsteadofherownfinishedwarehouse，half-filledwithhoney，isoften，asIsaid，accompaniedbyothercells，notlongclosed，eachcontainingitsBee-
breadanditsegg。Inthiscase，Ihavesometimes，thoughnotalways，witnessedthefollowing：whenoncetheBeerealisestheshortcomingsoftheunfinishednest，shebeginstognawtheclaylidclosingoneoftheadjoiningcells。Shesoftensapartofthemortarcoverwithsalivaandpatiently，atombyatom，digsthroughthehardwall。Itisveryslowwork。Agoodhalf-hourelapsesbeforethetinycavityislargeenoughtoadmitapin’shead。Iwaitlongerstill。ThenIlosepatience；and，fullyconvincedthattheBeeistryingtoopenthestore-room，Idecidetohelphertoshortenthework。Theupperpartofthecellcomesawaywithit，leavingtheedgesbadlybroken。Inmyawkwardness，Ihaveturnedanelegantvaseintoawretchedcrackedpot。
Iwasrightinmyconjecture：theBee’sintentionwastobreakopenthedoor。Straightaway，withoutheedingtheraggednessoftheorifice，shesettlesdowninthecellwhichIhaveopenedforher。
Timeaftertime，shefetcheshoneyandpollen，thoughthelarderisalreadyfullystocked。Lastly，shelaysheregginthiscellwhichalreadycontainsaneggthatisnothers，havingdonewhichsheclosesthebrokenaperturetothebestofherability。Sothispurveyorhadneithertheknowledgenorthepowertobowtotheinevitable。Ihadmadeitimpossibleforhertogoonwithherpurveying，unlessshefirstcompletedtheunfinishedcellsubstitutedforherown。Butshedidnotretreatbeforethatimpossibletask。Sheaccomplishedherwork，butintheabsurdestway：byinjuriouslytrespassinguponanother’sproperty，bycontinuingtostoreprovisionsinacupboardalreadyfulltooverflowing，bylayingheregginacellinwhichtherealownerhadalreadylaidandlastlybyhurriedlyclosinganorificethatcalledforseriousrepairs。Whatbetterproofcouldbewishedoftheirresistiblepropensitywhichtheinsectobeys？
Lastly，therearecertainswiftandconsecutiveactionssocloselyinterlinkedthattheperformanceoftheseconddemandsapreviousrepetitionofthefirst，evenwhenthisactionhasbecomeuseless。I
havealreadydescribedhowtheYellow-wingedSphex（Cf。"InsectLife"：
chapters6to9。——Translator’sNote。）persistsindescendingintoherburrowalone，afterdepositingatitsedgetheCricketwhomI
maliciouslyatonceremove。Herrepeateddiscomfituresdonotmakeherabandonthepreliminaryinspectionofthehome，aninspectionwhichbecomesquiteuselesswhenrenewedforthetenthortwentiethtime。
TheMason-beeoftheWallsshowsus，underanotherform，asimilarrepetitionofanactwhichisuselessinitself，butwhichisthecompulsoryprefacetotheactthatfollows。Whenarrivingwithherprovisions，theBeeperformsatwofoldoperationofstoring。First，shedivesheadforemostintothecell，todisgorgethecontentsofhercrop；next，shecomesoutandatoncegoesinagainbackwards，tobrushherabdomenandrubofftheloadofpollen。Atthemomentwhentheinsectisabouttoenterthecelltailfirst，Ipushherasidegentlywithastraw。Thesecondactisthusprevented。TheBeenowbeginsthewholeperformanceoveragain，thatistosay，sheoncemoredivesheadfirsttothebottomofthecell，thoughshehasnothinglefttodisgorge，ashercrophasjustbeenemptied。Whenthisisdone，itisthebelly’sturn。Iinstantlypushherasideagain。Theinsectrepeatsitsproceedings，stillenteringheadfirst；Ialsorepeatmytouchofthestraw。Andthiscangoonaslongastheobserverpleases。Pushedasideatthemomentwhensheisabouttoinsertherabdomenintothecell，theBeegoesbacktotheopeningandpersistsingoingdownheadfirsttobeginwith。Sometimes，shedescendstothebottom，sometimesonlyhalf-way，sometimesagainsheonlypretendstodescend，justbendingherheadintotheaperture；
but，whethercompletedornot，thisaction，forwhichthereisnolongeranymotive，sincethehoneyhasalreadybeendisgorged，invariablyprecedestheentrancebackwardstodepositthepollen。Itisalmostthemovementofamachinewhoseworksareonlysetgoingwhenthedriving-wheelbeginstorevolve。
CHAPTER4。MOREENQUIRIESINTOMASON-BEES。
ThischapterwastohavetakentheformofaletteraddressedtoCharlesDarwin，theillustriousnaturalistwhonowliesburiedbesideNewtoninWestminsterAbbey。Itwasmytasktoreporttohimtheresultofsomeexperimentswhichhehadsuggestedtomeinthecourseofourcorrespondence：averypleasanttask，for，thoughfacts，asI
seethem，disinclinemetoaccepthistheories，Ihavenonethelessthedeepestvenerationforhisnoblecharacterandhisscientifichonesty。Iwasdraftingmyletterwhenthesadnewsreachedme：Darwinwasdead；aftersearchingthemightyquestionoforigins，hewasnowgrapplingwiththelastanddarkestproblemofthehereafter。（DarwindiedatDown，inKent，onthe19thofApril1882。——Translator’sNote。）
Ithereforeabandontheepistolaryform，whichwouldbeunwarrantedinviewofthatgraveatWestminster。AfreeandimpersonalstatementshallsetforthwhatIintendedtorelateinamoreacademicmanner。
Onething，aboveall，hadstrucktheEnglishscientistonreadingthefirstvolumeofmy"Souvenirsentomologiques"，namely，theMason-bees’
facultyofknowingthewaybacktotheirnestsafterbeingcarriedtogreatdistancesfromhome。Whatsortofcompassdotheyemployontheirreturnjourneys？Whatsenseguidesthem？TheprofoundobserverthereuponspokeofanexperimentwhichhehadalwayslongedtomakewithPigeonsandwhichhehadalwaysneglectedmaking，absorbedashewasbyotherinterests。Thisexperiment，hethought，ImightattemptwithmyBees。Substitutetheinsectforthebird；andtheproblemremainedthesame。Iquotefromhisletterthepassagereferringtothetrialwhichhewishedmade：
’Allowmetomakeasuggestioninrelationtoyourwonderfulaccountofinsectsfindingtheirwayhome。Iformerlywishedtotryitwithpigeons；namely，tocarrytheinsectsintheirpapercornetsaboutahundredpacesintheoppositedirectiontothatwhichyouintendedultimatelytocarrythem，butbeforeturningroundtoreturn，toputtheinsectsinacircularboxwithanaxlewhichcouldbemadetorevolveveryrapidlyfirstinonedirectionandtheninanother，soastodestroyforatimeallsenseofdirectionintheinsects。Ihavesometimesimaginedthatanimalsmayfeelinwhichdirectiontheywereatthefirststartcarried。’
Thismethodofexperimentingseemedtomeveryingeniouslyconceived。
Beforegoingwest，Iwalkeastwards。Inthedarknessoftheirpaperbags，themerefactthatIammovingthemgivesmyprisonersasenseofthedirectioninwhichIamtakingthem。Ifnothinghappenedtodisturbthisfirstimpression，theinsectwouldbeguidedbyitinreturning。ThiswouldexplainthehomingofmyMason-beescarriedtoadistanceoftwoorthreemilesamidstrangesurroundings。But，whentheinsectshavebeensufficientlyimpressedbytheirconveyancetotheeast，therecomestherapidtwirl，firstthiswayround，thenthat。Bewilderedbyalltheserevolutionsfirstinonedirectionandtheninanother，theinsectdoesnotknowthatIhaveturnedroundandremainsunderitsoriginalimpression。Iamnowtakingittothewest，whenitbelievesitselftobestilltravellingtowardstheeast。Undertheinfluenceofthisimpression；theinsectisboundtoloseitsbearings。Whensetfree，itwillflyintheoppositedirectiontoitshome，whichitwillneverfindagain。
Thisresultseemedtomethemoreprobableinasmuchasthestatementsofthecountry-folkaroundmewereallofanaturetoconfirmmyhopes。Favier（Theauthor’sgardenerandfactotum。Cf。"TheLifeoftheFly"：chapter4。——Translator’sNote。），theverymanforthissortofinformation，wasthefirsttoputmeonthetrack。Hetoldmethat，whenpeoplewanttomoveaCatfromonefarmtoanotheratsomedistance，theyplacetheanimalinabagwhichtheytwirlrapidlyatthemomentofstarting，thuspreventingtheanimalfromreturningtothehousewhichithasquitted。Manyothers，besidesFavier，describedthesamepracticetome。Accordingtothem，thistwirlingroundinabagwasaninfallibleexpedient：thebewilderedCatneverreturned。I
communicatedwhatIhadlearnttoEngland，IwrotetothesageofDownandtoldhimhowthepeasanthadanticipatedtheresearchesofscience。CharlesDarwinwasamazed；sowasI；andwebothofusalmostreckonedonasuccess。
Thesepreliminariestookplaceinthewinter；IhadplentyoftimetopreparefortheexperimentwhichwastobemadeinthefollowingMay。
’Favier，’Isaid，oneday，tomyassistant，’Ishallwantsomeofthosenests。Goandaskournext-doorneighbour’sleaveandclimbtotheroofofhisshed，withsomenewtilesandsomemortar，whichyoucanfetchfromthebuilder’s。Takeadozentilesfromtheroof，thosewiththebiggestnestsonthem，andputthenewonesintheirplace。’
Thingsweredoneaccordingly。Myneighbourassentedwithagoodgracetotheexchangeoftiles，forhehimselfisobliged，fromtimetotime，todemolishtheworkoftheMason-bee，unlesshewouldriskseeinghisrooffallinsoonerorlater。Iwasmerelyforestallingarepairwhichbecamemoreurgenteveryyear。Thatsameevening，Iwasinpossessionoftwelvemagnificentrectangularblocksofnest，eachlyingontheconvexsurfaceofatile，thatistosay，onthesurfacelookingtowardstheinsideoftheshed。Ihadthecuriositytoweighthelargest：itturnedthescaleatthirty-fivepounds。Nowtheroofwhenceitcamewascoveredwithsimilarmasses，adjoiningoneanother，overastretchofsomeseventytiles。Reckoningonlyhalftheweight，soastostrikeanaveragebetweenthelargestandthesmallestlumps，wefindthetotalweightoftheBee’smasonrytoamounttothree-
quartersofaton。And，evenso，peopletellmethattheyhaveseenthisbeatenelsewhere。LeavetheMason-beetoherowndevices，inthespotthatsuitsher；allowtheworkofmanygenerationstoaccumulate；
and，onefineday，theroofwillbreakdownundertheextraburden。
Letthenestsgrowold；letthemfalltopieceswhenthedampgetsintothem；andyouwillhavechunkstumblingonyourheadbigenoughtocrackyourskull。Thereyouseetheworkofaverylittle-knowninsect。（TheinsectissolittleknownthatImadeaseriousmistakewhentreatingofitinthefirstvolumeofthese"Souvenirs。"UndermyerroneousdenominationofChalicodomasiculaarereallycomprisedtwospecies，onebuildingitsnestsinourdwellingsandparticularlyunderthetilesofouthouses，theotherbuildingitsnestsonthebranchesofshrubs。Thefirstspecieshasreceivedvariousnames，whichare，inorderofpriority：Chalicodomapyrenaica，LEP。
（Megachile）；Chalicodomapyrrhopeza，GERSTACKER；Chalicodomarufitarsis，GIRAUD。Itisapitythatthenameoccupyingthefirstplaceshouldlenditselftomisconception。IhesitatetoapplytheepithetofPyreneantoaninsectwhichismuchlesscommoninthePyreneesthaninmyowndistrict。IshallcallittheChalicodoma，orMason-bee，oftheSheds。Thereisnoobjectiontotheuseofthisnameinabookwherethereaderprefersluciditytothetyrannyofsystematicentomology。Thesecondspecies，thatwhichbuildsitsnestsonthebranches，isChalicodomarufescens，J。PEREZ。Foralikereason，IshallcallittheChalicodomaoftheShrubs。IowethesecorrectionstothekindnessofProfessorJeanPerez，ofBordeaux，whoissowell-versedintheloreofWaspsandBees。——Author’sNote。）
Thesetreasureswereinsufficient，notinregardtoquantity，butinregardtoquality，forthemainobjectwhichIhadinview。Theycamefromthenearesthouse，separatedfromminebyalittlefieldplantedwithcornandolive-trees。Ihadreasontofearthattheinsectsissuingfromthosenestsmightbehereditarilyinfluencedbytheirancestors，whohadlivedintheshedformanyalongyear。TheBee，whencarriedtoadistance，wouldperhapscomeback，guidedbytheinveteratefamilyhabit；shewouldfindtheshedofherlinealpredecessorsandthence，withoutdifficulty，reachhernest。Asitisthefashionnowadaystoassignaprominentparttothesehereditaryinfluences，Imusteliminatethemfrommyexperiments。IwantstrangeBees，broughtfromafar，whosereturntotheplaceoftheirbirthcaninnowayassisttheirreturntothenesttransplantedtoanothersite。
Faviertookthebusinessinhand。HehaddiscoveredonthebanksoftheAygues，atsomemilesfromthevillage，adesertedhutwheretheMason-beeshadestablishedthemselvesinanumerouscolony。Heproposedtotakethewheelbarrow，inwhichtomovetheblocksofcells；butIobjected：thejoltingofthevehicleovertheroughpathsmightjeopardisethecontentsofthecells。Abasketcarriedontheshoulderwasdeemedsafer。Faviertookamantohelphimandsetout。
Theexpeditionprovidedmewithfourwell-stockedtiles。Itwasallthatthetwomenwereabletocarrybetweenthem；andeventhenIhadtostandtreatontheirarrival：theywereutterlyexhausted。LeVaillanttellsusofanestofRepublicans（SocialWeaver-birds。——
Translator’sNote。）withwhichheloadedawagondrawnbytwooxen。MyMason-beevieswiththeSouth-Africanbird：ayokeofOxenwouldnothavebeentoomanytomovethewholeofthatnestfromthebanksoftheAygues。
Thenextthingistoplacemytiles。Iwanttohavethemundermyeyes，inapositionwhereIcanwatchthemeasilyandsavemyselftheworriesofearlierdays：goingupanddownladders，standingforhoursatastretchonanarrowrungthathurtthesolesofmyfeetandriskingsunstrokeupagainstascorchingwall。Moreover，itisnecessarythatmyguestsshouldfeelalmostasmuchathomewithmeaswheretheycomefrom。Imustmakelifepleasantforthem，ifIshouldhavethemgrowattachedtothenewdwelling。AndIhappentohavetheverythingforthem。
Undertheleadsofmyhouseisawidearch，thesidesofwhichgetthesun，whilethebackremainsintheshade。Thereissomethingforeverybody：theshadeforme，thesunlightformyboarders。Wefastenastouthooktoeachtileandhangitonthewall，onalevelwithoureyes。Halfmynestsareontheright，halfontheleft。Thegeneraleffectisratheroriginal。Anyonewalkinginandseeingmyshowforthefirsttimebeginsbytakingitforadisplayofsmokedprovisions，gammonsofsomeoutlandishbaconcuringinthesun。Onperceivinghismistake，hefallsintorapturesatthesenewhivesofmine。Thenewsspreadsthroughthevillageandmorethanonepokesfunatit。TheylookuponmeasakeeperofhybridBees：
’Iwonderwhathe’sgoingtomakeoutofthat！’saythey。
MyhivesareinfullswingbeforetheendofApril。Whentheworkisatitsheight，theswarmbecomesalittleeddying，buzzingcloud。Thearchisamuch-frequentedpassage：itleadstoastore-roomforvarioushouseholdprovisions。Themembersofmyfamilybullymeatfirstforestablishingthisdangerouscommonwealthwithintheprecinctsofourhome。Theydarenotgotofetchthings：theywouldhavetopassthroughaswarmofBees；andthen……lookoutforstings！
Thereisnothingforitbuttoprove，onceandforall，thatthedangerdoesnotexist，thatmineisamostpeaceableBee，incapableofstingingsolongassheisnotstartled。Ibringmyfaceclosetooneoftheclaynests，soasalmosttotouchit，whileitisblackwithMasonsatwork；Iletmyfingerswanderthroughtheranks，IputafewBeesonmyhand，IstandinthethickofthewhirlingcrowdandneveraprickdoIreceive。Ihavelongknowntheirpeacefulcharacter。TimewaswhenIusedtosharethecommonfears，whenIhesitatedbeforeventuringintoaswarmofAnthophoraeorChalicodomae；nowadays，I
havequitegotoverthoseterrors。Ifyoudonotteasetheinsect，thethoughtofhurtingyouwillneveroccurtoit。Attheworst，asinglespecimen，promptedbycuriosityratherthananger，willcomeandhoverinfrontofyourface，examiningyouwithsomepersistency，butemployingabuzzasheronlythreat。Letherbe：herscrutinyisquitefriendly。
Afterafewdemonstrations，myhouseholdwerereassured：all，oldandyoung，movedinandoutofthearchasthoughtherewerenothingunusualaboutit。MyBees，farfromremaininganobjectofdread，becameanobjectofdiversion；everyonetookpleasureinwatchingtheprogressoftheiringeniouswork。Iwascarefulnottodivulgethesecrettostrangers。Ifanyone，comingonbusiness，passedoutsidethearchwhileIwasstandingbeforethehangingnests，somesuchbriefdialogueasthefollowingwouldtakeplace：
’Sotheyknowyou；that’swhytheydon’tstingyou？’
’Theycertainlyknowme。’
’Andme？’
’Oh，you；that’sanothermatter！’
Whereupontheintruderwouldkeepatarespectfuldistance，whichwaswhatIwanted。