18.2 BRITISH BEES. 



The table will suffice for distinguishing the male Apis 

 from all other male Apid<e, and which has a further 

 peculiarity exhibited by no other of our native bees, in 

 the conjunction upon the vertex of the compound eyes, 

 in front of which, upon the frons, the simple eyes or 

 ocelli are placed in a very slightly curved line. 



These indications are enough to enable the beginner 

 to work his way smoothly, and a little practice will soon 

 render these observations superfluous. 



The economy of nature is so perfect that wherever 

 we can trace a difference, we may assume that a reason 

 and a purpose exist for the variation. Thus we do not 

 know why some bees have three submarginal cells to 

 their wings, and others only two. Nor do we know 

 what governs their variety of shape. The deficiency we 

 might think implied inferiority ; but this cannot be, for 

 those with most frequently the smaller number, viz. the 

 artisan bees, are, in the majority of cases, the most 

 highly endowed, and have the most special habits. 



In the relative numbers of the maxillary and labial 

 palpi, there are remarkable differences, the reason for 

 which we cannot trace, for, as before observed, we do 

 not know even their function, which would perhaps 

 guide us to other views. Their normal numbers are six 

 maxillary, and four labial palpi. The latter take re- 

 markable relative development and peculiarity of inser- 

 tion and form, especially in the Apidis ; but throughout 

 the whole series of our bees, they are never reduced to 

 fewer than their normal number, whereas the maxillary 

 palpi never have similarly large development of struc- 

 ture, and are variously modified in number and consis- 

 tency from the typical or normal condition. 



Thus in Euccra and Melecta there are but five joints; 



