She will turn it, under ground, into cotton-felt satchels to hold the store of honey and the egg.

And these others, so eager for plunder?
They are Megachiles (Leaf-cutting Bees .-- Translator's Note.), carrying under their bellies their black, white, or blood-red reaping-brushes.

They will leave the thistles to visit the neighbouring shrubs and there cut from the leaves oval pieces which will be made into a fit receptacle to contain the harvest.

And these, clad in black velvet?
They are Chalicodomae (Mason-bees .-- Translator's Note.), who work with cement and gravel.

We could easily find their masonry on the stones in the harmas.