Part 1

INSECT ARCHITECTURE

JAMES RENNIE

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

INSECT ARCHITECTURE

JAMES RENNIE

NEW EDITION, MUCH ENLARGED

BY THE REV. J. G. WOOD, M.A. AUTHOR OF "HOMES WITHOUT HANDS," ETC.

WITH NEARLY TWO HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS.

LONDON: BELL AND DALDY, YORK STREET, COVENT GARDEN.

1869.

EDITOR'S PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION.

The proprietors of this interesting work having felt that much additional knowledge of the subject has been obtained since the book was written, have asked me to supply characteristic examples of Insect Architecture which were not to be found in its pages. I have accordingly added a considerable number of such examples, in most cases accompanied by figures drawn from the specimens described. I have not been at liberty to alter or expunge, and am not, therefore, responsible for any portion of the letterpress except those passages which are enclosed in brackets [ ]. Some of the specimens from which the figures have been drawn are in my own collection, but the greater part are to be found in the British Museum.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

Introduction 1

CHAPTER II.

Structures for Protecting Eggs 21 Mason-Wasps 22 Mason-Bees 38 Mining-Bees 50

CHAPTER III.

Carpenter-Bees 55 Carpenter-Wasps 62 Upholsterer-Bees 64

CHAPTER IV.

Carder-Bees 74 Lapidary-Bees 79 Humble-Bees 79 Social-Wasps 80

CHAPTER V.

Architecture of the Hive-Bee 112 Preparation of Wax 115 Propolis 126 The Building of the Cell 131

CHAPTER VI.

Architecture of the Hive-Bee--continued. Form of the Cells 139 Irregularities in their Workmanship 148 The Finishing of the Cells 154

CHAPTER VII.

Carpentry of Tree-Hoppers 164 Saw-Flies 168 Icarias 176