168 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



gigaxii (Charp. MS.) Pfr.( = herifletisis, Mab.). The North Berwick 

 specimens are quite characteristic of this species, and the largest 

 compare favourably with the Lewes examples. The largest example 

 measures, alt. 8.5; diam. 13.3 mm. 



H. gigaxii, regarded by the older collectors as a variety of 

 H. caperata, has only recently been raised to specific rank, and, so 

 far as the present records are concerned, it appears to be a species 

 of peculiarly south-eastern distribution in the British Isles, though 

 recorded for counties as far north as Lancashire and Yorkshire. 



Its occurrence, therefore, in Southern Scotland is highly 

 interesting, and should prove an incentive towards further search 

 in neighbouring localities. J. Wilfrid Jackson, Manchester 

 Museum. 



Humble Bees in a House in Perthshire. I am not aware 

 that it is usual for Humble Bees to select the inside of an occupied 

 house as a residence. We have no less than two establishments 

 here at present. One lot have selected a cupboard (under a stair- 

 case) opening off our pantry, and about equidistant (8 feet either 

 way) between the front door and a window, both of which they use. 

 They come in with a great to-do, land on the floor, trot under the 

 cupboard door, and disappear. In the bathroom (once a bedroom) 

 the same performance is going on in the neighbourhood of the 

 fireplace. The house is very old, and set down close to the ground, 

 so I presume the insects have a burrow in the earth beneath, or 

 rather two burrows, for the entrances are about 15 feet apart. We 

 have to keep doors and windows open all day to oblige the bees, 

 which are of the very largest type, for, if they encounter any obstacle 

 or go astray, they become extremely testy. I like bees, but not 

 inside my burberry, or in a towel, or running about among the 

 clothes ! Besides, we waste much time in putting them on their 

 way again. The situation seems unusual. Mary M. Wilson, 

 Strathtay. 



Since writing the above there has been a very destructive frost 

 in the district, no bees have been visible for three or four days, and 

 I fear they have either died or been stupefied. The last one to 

 arrive was in a lethargic condition, indeed it seemed half dead. 

 M. M. W. 



