Recent researches of Termites and Honey-bees. 



by our stingless bees in large, oval, irregularly clustered cells; and thus there 

 are many more or less important differences in the structure, as well as in the 

 economy, of Apis and Melipona. 



"My brother, who is now examining carefully the external structure of our 

 species, is surprised at the amount of variability, which the several species show 

 in the structure of their hind legs, of their wings, &c., and not less are the dif- 

 ferences they exhibit in their habits. 



"I have hitherto observed here 14 species of Melipona and Trigona, the 

 smallest of them scarcely exceeding 2 millimetres in length, the largest being 

 about the size of the hive-bee. One of these species lives as a parasite within 

 the nests of some other species. I have now, in my garden, hives of 4 of our 

 species, in which I have observed the construction of the combs, the laying of 

 the eggs &c., and I hope I shall soon be able to obtain hives of some more 

 species. Some of our species are so elegant and beautiful and so extremely 

 interesting, that they would be a most precious acquisition for zoological gardens 

 or large hot-houses ; nor do I think that it would be very difficult to bring them 

 to Europe and there to preserve them in a living state. 



"If it be of some interest to you I shall be glad to give you from time to 

 time an account of what I may observe in my Melipona apiary. 



"Believe me, dear Sir, &c., 



"Fritz Muller" 



