SPHECODES. 199 



of sandbanks exposed to the sun, and nine or ten inches 

 deep, and which they smooth with their tongues. But 

 then, in impeachment of the accuracy of his observation, 

 he further supposes there are three sexes, founding his 

 statement upon what Keaumur remarks of having ob- 

 served pupse of three different sizes in the burrows. In 

 the first place, it is not conclusive that these pupae were 

 those of Sphecodes, and secondly we know that this con- 

 dition of three sexes is found only in the social tribes, 

 wherein the peculiarities of the economy exact a division 

 of offices. Therefore his adoption of this inaccuracy 

 militates against the reception of his other statement. 

 But Smith also states that they are not parasites, and 

 apparently founds his assertion upon direct observation. 

 It still, however, remains a debatable point, from the 

 fact of the destitution of pollinigerous brushes, and 

 thence the character of the food necessary to be stored 

 for the larva. It would be very satisfactory if these 

 apparent inconsistencies could be lucidly explained. 



If, however, it be ultimately proved that Sphecodes is 

 a constructive bee, as well as Prosopis, we have then 

 this fact exhibited by our native genera, that none of the 

 subfamily of our short-tongued bees, or Andrenida, are 

 parasitical. This is a remarkable peculiarity, as it is 

 amongst them that we should almost exclusively expect 

 to find that distinguishing economy, from the seemingly 

 imperfect apparatus furnished in the short structure of 

 their tongues. It is possible, however, that nature has 

 so moulded them as to fit them chiefly for fulfilling its 

 objects within merely a certain range of the floral reign, 

 and which restricts them to visiting flowers which do 

 not require the protrusion of a long organ to rifle their 

 sweet stores. 



