I wonder if you know that the smallest insects you see about you
have tools given them to do their work with. There is a little
fly called a saw-fly, because it has a saw to work with. It is
really a very much nicer saw than you could make, if you were
ever so old.
The fly uses it to make places where the eggs will be safe. What
is more strange, it has a sort of homemade glue which fastens
them where they are laid.
Some insects have cutting instruments that work just as your
scissors do. The poppy-bee is one of them, whose work is
wonderful. This bee has a boring tool, too. Its nest is usually
made in old wood. This borer cleans out the nest ready for use.
When all is ready the insect cuts out pieces of leaves to line
the nest and to make the cells. These linings are out in the
shape of the cells. You, would be surprised to see the care taken
to have every piece of just the right size, so that it will fit.
When they are. fitted, the pieces are nicely fastened together
and put into the nest.