304 HYMENOPTERA 



trast to these furry fellows, as its integument is hairless, 

 and brightly coloured sky blue and black, 



I do not know where Crocisa nests, but it has a remark- 

 able habit of passing the night in the open on a grass 

 stem, its mandibles firmly clasped round the stem, and 

 its legs tucked up against the body, so that the insect, 

 supported only by the grasp of its mandibles, projects 

 obliquely from the stem. They may often be found dead 

 in this position. 



Sometimes several will affix themselves thus, one 

 below the other, and the stem may be picked and carried 

 about without disturbing the bees. Another species 

 {Coeliaxis carinata) has the same resting habit. The 

 islands are singularly blest in the absence of minute, 

 stingless, but very annoying bees (Melipona), commonly 

 known as " Sweat bees," from their habit of settling on 

 one's bare skin and licking up the perspiration. If they 

 would only settle quickly one would not object so strongly, 

 but they spend a long time dancing about in front of 

 one's face under the brim of one's hat ; when they do 

 settle they cause an intolerable tickling. 



Though they have lost their sting they are very possibly 

 still protected, for if one is squashed by a blow it has 

 an unpleasant acrid odour. I first made their acquaint- 

 ance on active service, and soon learnt to give thanks 

 that the islands did not support them ! 



Like the Mutillidae they seem to prefer more open, 

 drier country ; hence the thirst which leads them so 

 eagerly to suck up moisture from one's skin. 



