BRITISH HYMENOPTERA. 257 



day to see the Halicti and several of the Diptera clustered on the heads of 

 the Ragwort, revelling in its golden blossoms. 



H. smeathmanellus. — Not uncommon, although it is somewhat local even in 

 this district. It has been taken near Brighton, Hove, etc. The females 

 only have been observed. 



JET. ceratus. — Common; appearing in May and June. We have several 

 colonies in the immediate neighbourhood. 



H. morio. — Very abundant, and found everywhere. "We have a mixed 

 colony near Kingston, composed of this species, H. rubicundus, and Sphecodes 

 rufescens. The males are frequently observed late in the autumn. I have 

 observed it enter the wall of my garden frequently. 



H. leucopus. — Rare. Found near Lewes and Hove, but sparingly. 



H.fulvicornis. — The male only of this species has yet been observed, not 

 unfrequently in the autumn upon the flowers of the Ragwort, (Senecio 

 Jacobcea.) 



H. longulus. — Very local; specimens have been captured near Hove, by 

 the coast, in July. Its colonies were very numerous in 1856, along the coast, 

 extending for nearly two miles, between Southsea Common and Cumberland 

 Fort, near Portsmouth. 



H. minutus. — Not uncommon, and pretty generally distributed. I have 

 taken it near Lewes, Seaford, Eastbourne, and Brighton, in May and June. 



H. nitidiusculus. — Common in this locality generally in May and June, 

 frequenting the flowers of the Ranunculi. 



H. minutissimus. — The smallest of the species, and readily distinguished 

 from its allies: it may be termed tolerably common. It associates with H. 

 rubicundis, ceratus, and Sphecodes ephippia, being frequently found mixed with 

 them in the same colony. 



(To be continued.) 



EXTRACTS FROM 

 SMITH'S CATALOGUE OF BRITISH HYMENOPTERA. 



Genus Sphecodes. 



The bees which are included in this genus have hitherto been regarded as 

 parasites on those comprised in the genus Halictus, and indeed many circum- 

 stances tend to support such a supposition; they are usually found burrowing 

 not only in similar situations, but forming mixed colonies; the females of both 

 genera appear some time before the males, and in fact their economy is alike. 

 St. Fargeau places them amongst his division of parasites, immediately following 

 his exotic genus Ratliymus, with which they have not the slightest affinity; 

 their only resemblance being in the distribution of the colours, black and red. 

 The result of my observations leads to the conclusion that no species of the 

 Andrenidce is parasitic. The only apparent support of the theory of their 

 parasitism, is the absence of the usual pollenigerous organs; such however is 

 also the case in Prosopis, Ceratina, etc. In the year 1849 I discovered a 



