88 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



of internal anatomy and embryology, the same remark applies, 

 only with more intensity. 



But, as in every other subject, one must first of all acquire 

 a general elementary knowledge of the objects to be studied. 

 And thus, by the formation of a typical collection, and the 

 identification of the specimens contained therein, at least 

 sufficiently to recognise to what families and perhaps genera 

 they belong, the novice will gain a useful idea of the extent 

 and variety comprised within the Order — a necessary pre- 

 liminary to satisfactory work in the future. Such a procedure 

 will also help the student to some extent in his choice of a 

 subject for investigation, and probably assist him to realise 

 where such work is more particularly required. My object, 

 therefore, in penning the present article, which I hope will 

 be shortly followed by others dealing with matters of detail, 

 is to draw attention to the present need for more workers in 

 a group of insects which are not only of extraordinary 

 interest, but also likely to be, in the future, regarded as of the 

 utmost importance. 



Andrena cetii, Schr., in Forth and Argyll. — In the autumn 

 of 1902 I found several colonies of the dark variety of this little 

 bee burrowing in sunny banks about Balquhidder, in the upper 

 part of the Forth area. Females were also fairly common on 

 flowers of Scabiosa succisa. The specimens preserved are labelled 

 as follows: — Kirkton of Balquhidder, 20th and 21st August (both 

 sexes); Loch Voil side, on Scabious, 2nd September (females) ; and 

 Kingshouse, 17th September (females). The females are all dark 

 coloured like the males. The identification was confirmed by 

 the late Edward Saunders. Among Mr J. W. Bowhill's 191 5 

 captures I detected a specimen of A. cctii, which was taken in the 

 neighbourhood of Loch Awe, Argyllshire, in the beginning of 

 September; it is a female with ochraceous markings on the upper 

 side of the abdomen, the second and third segments being almost 

 entirely of that colour. This species would appear to be very 

 local in Scotland. It has been recorded from Arran, in the Clyde 

 area, by A. A. Dalglish. — William Evans, Edinburgh. 



