ANTHOPHILA. 135 



Meleda is said to be the parasite of AufJiophora, and is allied to 

 Epeolus, which our species resemble in general form antl in the orna- 

 mentation of the abdomen, but the maxillary palpi have five joints. 



Some of the species of Stelis closely resemble those of Anthidium ; 

 the 9 , however, is without a ventral scopa. 



The genus Coelioxys is the parasite of Megachlle, and is readily 

 known by the conical abdomen, which is pointed at tip in the 9 and 

 more or less spined in the % . The females have good specific char- 

 acters, while the males are difficult to separate. 



The species of Osmla are generally of a bluish or greenish color, 

 having a short robust form, which is more or less hairy, the abdomen 

 subglobose, that of the 9 having a ventral scopa. In their economy 

 the species of this genus are said to be very diverse, some burrow in 

 earth, some in wood, while others nidificate in the shell of snails, etc. 



The genus Anthidium contains some very handsome insects, and 

 about thirty-five species are given in the list ; the % abdomen is in- 

 curved at apex, which is often spined, and that of the 9 is furnished 

 with a ventral brush. 



The bees included in the genus Megachile are popularly known as 

 " Leaf-cutters," from their habit of cutting off pieces of leaves for the 

 purpose of forming cells in which to store up food for their larvse. 

 The males present broad distinctive specific difi'erences, chiefly in 

 the form of the antenme and anterior legs, while those of the females 

 are difficult to detect. The number of our described species is great, 

 which, however, will doubtless be largely reduced when more care- 

 fully studied with abundant material at hand. 



Ceratina contains some pretty little blue-green naked species, whose 

 habit is to excavate the pith from brambles, briars, etc., and supply 

 their larvse with a deposit of semi-fluid honey, they being destitute 

 of pollinigerous appendages. We have four described species, one 

 of which, diipla kSay, is of common occurrence, and is said to exca- 

 vate the pith of the Mullein. 



Of Eucera only one species has been described as inhabiting our 

 fauna, and which has not yet been identified by the compiler. The 

 anterior wings have but two submarginal cells, and the % antennse 

 are as long as the entire body, filiform, with the joints arcuate and 

 reticulate. 



The genera 3Ieli.^sodes, Xenof/lossd and iSijnh((/oiiia are closely allied, 

 having the % antennte consi)icuoiKsly longer than that of the 9 > hut 

 difiering in the number of the joints of the maxillary })alpi. These 



