334 - E - 



the next few days, and on July i, the colony was given its liberty. 

 In order to give it a better start, about twenty cocoons of Bremns 

 impatiens were placed in the nest. The workers of the two species 

 showed no hostility toward each other, and everything went well 

 until July 14, when the perplexus queen was found dead in the 

 nest. Like borcalis queen No. 3, she probably was killed by the 

 impatiens workers. During the first half of August, this perplexus- 

 impatiens colony produced several males of both species, but by 

 August 20, the colony had completely broken up. 



What is known about the nesting habits of Bremns perplexus, 

 we owe to Franklin ('12/13, PP- 347^34 8 )- Some years ago, this 

 author took two nests in early August, in Vermont. Both nests 

 were situated in the walls of houses, and were made of wool. One 

 of the nests contained 5 queens, I male, and 9 workers; and the 

 other, 8 queens and 33 workers. 



In the vicinity of Boston, Bremus perplexus is very rare. Judg- 

 ing from the early appearance of the workers (the first one was 

 taken on May 28), some queens of this species must appear as 

 early as May I, and most nests are probably started during that 

 month. The sexual forms seem to be produced chiefly during 

 July and August. The nests probably break up in September. 



Regarding the disposition of Bremus perplexus, Franklin 

 (p. 348) has the following to say: "This is the gentlest and least 

 ready to sting of all the bumblebee species which I have had to 

 deal with in the living condition. This seems peculiar, as B. 

 vagans, which seems to be its nearest ally, is exceedingly fero- 

 cious." I have already ('226) taken exception to the last part of 

 this statement. According to my observations, Bremus perplexus 

 and Bremus vagans are similar in disposition, both species being 

 comparatively gentle. 

 IV. Bremus ternarius Say. 



Of this species, two queens were taken on Rhododendron, in 

 the Arnold Arboretum, on June 6, and June 8, respectively. 

 Besides having lost much of her pile on the dorsal side, ternarius 

 queen No. 2 had a very distended abdomen, suggesting that she 

 probably had already started a colony. She was therefore set 

 free a few minutes after she was captured with the hope that she 

 might furnish workers for ternarius queen No. I. As queen No. I 



