244 BRITISH BEES. 



section as to the genus itself, a-dpos, brush, 7701)9 770809, 

 afoot, in allusion to their polliniferous posterior legs. 



We have but one species, but it is very characteristic ; 

 for, although retaining several of the features of the 

 second division of Anthophora (in the colouring of the 

 face it participates with the males of both divisions), 

 yet has it still a marked physiognomy of its own ; it 

 retains the normal colouring of bees generally, but its 

 strongest distinction from that division of Anthophora 

 is the shortness of the antennae in the female, as in the 

 length of the intermediate legs of the male it would 

 seem to form a link between the two divisions, could a 

 distinct genus stand in such a position, and would al- 

 most import the necessity of elevating that division to 

 generic rank, as hinted at in the observations under 

 Anthophora. In the large development of its claws it 

 seems to point to an economy somewhat differing from 

 that second division, but nobody appears to have traced 

 it to its nidus. I have often captured it at Battersea 

 upon the Mallow, together with A. quadrimaculata, but 

 the singular velocity of its flight might indicate a very 

 distant domicile, in a few minutes it could traverse 

 miles. The electrical vivacity and rich opaline tint of 

 its eyes has been often observed, but this, unfortunately, 

 fades with death ; yet so marked is it that it has called 

 forth the distinct observation of a Panzer and a Kirby. 

 Besides the Mallow it has been observed to frequent the 

 Heaths, and were its habits better known would be found, 

 I have no doubt, to visit many other flowers, for Curtis 

 took it in the Isle of Wight sleeping in the great Knap- 

 weed, Centaurea scabiosa. I have never caught it laden. 



I have hazarded the conjecture in a different part of 

 this work that the music of the bees might be attuned 



