A TINY HONEY BEE. 



527 



the country ; the largest was half an inch in size, the smallest 

 were extremely minute, some kinds being not more than one- 

 twelfth of an inch in size. These tiny fellows are often very 

 troublesome on account of their familiarity ; they settle on one's 

 face and hands, and in crawling about get into the eyes and 

 mouth, or up the nostrils." 



We see from this history that the title of " Angelitos " is not 

 so very well deserved, for the insects do mischief to the extent 

 of their ability. Being venomless, they cannot sting, but they 

 can at all events bite, and, as we have seen, do so very fiercely. 



The last of the Bees which will be described in this work 

 belong to the genus Trigona. The following account of an 



Fig. 288.— Trigona ruficrus. 

 (Shining black, with red thighs.) 



Indian species of Trigona is taken from Mr. Home's mono- 

 graph :— 



"This is one of the smallest Honey-bees I have ever met 

 with, and its habits are curious. I noticed it under the follow- 

 ing circumstances, and I never again met with its nest, although 

 the natives all know it. One evening at Benares (April 4th, 

 1863) as I was standing at my door, I saw a swarm of from 400 

 to 500 of M'hat I took to l^e midges, rapidly flying about in a 

 mazy kind of dance, occupying a space of five or six feet, and 

 being about ten feet from the ground. I brought out my insect- 



