Bmm ISritblj Wiib g«s. 



HENEY A. FRANCIS, F.R.M.S. 



{Abstract.) 



IT would be too lengthy a task, in this short article, to 

 even enumerate the distinctive characters of the two 

 hundred and odd species of bees that are resident in our 

 British Isles ; it is therefore my purpose to touch slightl}^ 

 upon the more striking genera, and more especially upon 

 those which I have had under my personal supervision. 



In the year 1889 I was fortunate enough to discover, within 

 easy range of observation, a colony of Halictus ruhicundusj 

 a bee which, in common with all its genus, is peculiarly 

 brooded. Early in April the females rouse themselves from 

 their hibernation, having been impregnated the previors 

 autumn, and up to and through June appear in quantity ; 

 but no males are to be seen. This spring brood disappears 

 in July, after depositing their eggs and providing for the 

 grub. Midway in August males begin to make their 

 appearance, and in about a fortnight are succeeded by 

 females, who, after impregnation, retire into winter quarters. 



The foregoing theory is Mr. F. Smith's, and I thought 

 I would, with the chance given me, verify for myself the 

 surmise. I therefore dug out some larvse and pupse at 



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