HYMENOPTERA. 599 



The maxillae and labium arc greatly elongated, and form a kind of proboscis, elbowed and folded beneath, 

 in inaction. The two basal joints of the labial palpi have often the form of a compressed seal] -eta; 

 the two others are very minute, and affixed obliquely near the end of the second. 



The Apiariae are either solitary or social in their habits. 



The Solitary Bees have never more than the two ordinary kinds of individuals, males and females, 

 each female providing alone for the support of her posterity. The hind feet of these females are fur- 

 nished with neither pollen baskets, nor silken pollen brushes. They are provided on the ontaide with 

 numerous close hairs. 



A first di\ ision of Solitary Bees comprises those which have the second joint of the posterior tarsi in- 

 serted in the middle of the extremity of the preceding joint. 



The Andrenoides approach the Andrenetic in having the labial palpi composed of slender joints, 

 placed end to end, and similar to the 6-jointed maxillary palpi ; the females have no ventral brush, but 

 their hind legs are provided with bundles of hairs, with which they collect pollen. 



The three following have the mandibles of the females narrowed at the tip. 



Systropha, Illig., has a tooth beneath the apex ; three complete cubital cells, and the male antenna' curled. 



Rophites, Spin., with similar mandibles, but having only two complete cubital cells, and the antennae never 

 curled. 



PatutrffUl, with the mandibles not toothed ; the wings with two complete cubital cells. 



Xylocopa, I>atr., or the Carpenter Bees, have the mandibles nearly spoon-shaped ; the labrum is ciliated in front; 

 the upper wings have three complete cubital cells, the first of which is cut in two by a transparent line. The male 

 in many species differs greatly from the females, which resemble great Humble Ikes ; their wings are often violet, 

 copper, or golden-coloured, and brilliant. Type, Apu viotaeea, Linn, [a continental species,. the female of which 

 forms long burrows in wood, palings, &c., in which it makes several cells, in each of which it deposits an egg and 

 a supply of pollen paste. The species are numerous, and chiefly inhabitants of tropical climates. 



The labial palpi of the other Apiariie resemble scaly plates ; the two basal joints very long ; the maxillary palpi 

 short, and often with fewer than six joints. 



The Dasi/i/astra are remarkable for the under side of the abdomen of the females being famished 

 with a still', silky coat of hairs ; the labrum is as long as broad, and square ; the mandibles of the females 

 strong, triangular, and toothed. 



Ceratiiia, Latr., approaches Xylocopa, the only subgenus which has 6-jointed maxillary palpi, and three complete 

 cubital cells. The abdomen is oval, and destitute of a ventral brush, as well as in 8Mb and Culioxyt, winch never- 

 theless ought, frniii their general characters, to form part of this irroup. 



All the other Dasygaatra have never more than four joints in the maxillary palpi, and two complete cubital 

 cells. 



Chelottoma, latr., has the body king and snbcylindlic ; the mandibles advanced, narrow, and curved ; and the 

 maxillary palpi 3-jointed. 



Hertadet, Spin., has the body also long and subcylindric, but the mandibles are triangular, and the maxillary 

 palpi 2-jointed. 



In the four following subgenera, the abdomen is shorter and suhtriangular, or semi-oval. These are .Mason l; 

 ami I.eaf-cutter Bees. 



Megachile, Latr , has the maxillary palpi 3-jointed ; the abdomen flat above, and capable of being elevated so as 

 to be able to use their sting above their bodies. M. muraria [a continental species , with violet-coloured wings, 

 makes its nests of fine earth, and fixe-, them against walls exposed to the sun, each nest containing from twelve to 

 fifteen cells. I Ither species, Darned Leaf-cutter Bees, employ in the construction of their nests portions of lea 

 perfect!) oval or circular, winch the] cut oul od It aw i with their Jaws with surprising dexteritj ; these the) earrj 



to their burrows made in the earth, or sometimes in walls, or the trunks of old trees, f g 1 1 111 of them of the 



size of a thimble, and inclosing an i ch cell, with a auppl) of pollen paste, the cover of one cell forming the 



bottom of the next above it. and - until the burrow is filled. Of tins number is Apit eattwutdarU, Linn., [a 



common Urn iah spei tea 



Utkurgui, Latr., has (-jointed maxillary palpi, and the abdomen depressed above. | Exotic species.] 



Omnia, Panzer, 1 1 a > a No t-jointed max 1 1 Ian palpi. bpt the abdomen is convex above. Bome of the q t of 



this genua, [winch is numerous, are Mason bees, and others Leaf-cutten ; amongsl the lattei la the Tapeati \ -bee 

 of Beauniur, which uses portions of the wild scarletpoppy to form its nests. Itbelonj - nt Pargeau's genua 

 Anthoeopa, differing from Oamia in having tridentate Instead of bidentate mandibli - es make their 



nests in the galls of ti 



Anthidium, Fabr., ha- the abdomen convex, and the maxillary palpi only 1 -jointed. The female-, strip off the 

 cotton] matter growing a] various wild plants, in order to form their nests therewith. 



Stelit, Pans, (with the scutellum simple and the abdomen semicyllndrical), and 



Calioxyt, Latr. (with two teeth or spines to the scutellum, and the abdomen triangular), differ from the prece- 

 ding and agree with the following In wanting the ventral brush, which leadato the supposition that they are 

 parasites. 



