518 



INSECTS ABROAD, 



the variety of form which prevails. " We must not forget that 

 a species is not, as it were, cast in a mould, but admits a 

 degree of variety, still, however, retaining intact the broad and 

 distinguishing characteristics." If this maxim had been more 

 generally appreciated by systematic zoologists, we should have 

 been spared much of the confused nomenclature under whicli 

 we at present suffer. 



Plate X. represents a group of Brazilian bees, the first of 

 which is called Chrysantheda frontalis. It is marked No. 1, and 

 is the upper of the two insects which are shown as inserting 

 their long tongues into the blossom. The singularly beautiful 

 flower which is depicted is the Passifiora Jcermesiana. 



This is one of the parasitic bees, and is supposed to infest the 

 dwellings of the great wood-boring bee, which is seen imme- 

 diately above it. It is a very beautiful insect, its body being 

 shining green, very thickly punctured, and its wings brown, 

 with a decided blue gloss. The hind legs are furnished on the 

 inside with a coating of thick brown hair, but on the outside are 

 of the same shining green as the body. 



Another of these beautiful parasitic bees is shown in the 



:X 



Fio. 283.— Aglae pseriilea. 

 (Shining blue ) 



accompanying illustration. Its colour is shining blue, with a 

 gloss of green in a side light. The wings are brown. 



