THE ANDRENiE. 275 



the year*. One of the most beautiful and most 

 abundant species is the Andrena cineraria, which 

 occurs in all parts of the country, forming its burrows 

 in banks, and also, as Mr. Smith states, in trodden 

 pathways, a situation which seems to be preferred by 

 several other species. It is usually about half-an- 

 inch in length, of a beautiful shining black colour, 

 with a bluish tinge on the abdomen, which is naked ; 

 the head and thorax, the latter especially, are clothed 

 with white hairs, and across the thorax of the female 

 runs a broad black band. It is found abundantly 

 in March and April. Another very beautiful species, 

 which occurs rather later in the year, is the Andrena 

 fulva, of which the female has the back of the thorax 

 and abdomen thickly covered with a magnificent 

 golden-orange pubescence, which gives it a beautiful 

 appearance in the bright rays of the sun, whilst her 

 partner is comparatively a dingy insect, with dull 

 tawny pubescence on the thorax and the base of ^the 

 abdomen. This species is found in sandy districts, 

 and, according to Mr. Smith, is fond of resorting to 

 the blossoms of the apple-tree. 



Some of the species of short-tongued Bees, how- 

 ever, construct nests which, although formed on the 



* At the time of their emergence in the perfect state, they 

 may be found, especially on days when the sun is occasionally ob- 

 scured by clouds, with their heads at the mouth of their burrow, 

 as if taking a first peep into the new world in which they are 

 about to make their appearance, and waiting until a favourable 

 moment of sunshine shall induce them to start on their aerial 

 pilgrimage. This, as indicated to me by Mr. Smith, affords the 

 best opportunity for collecting these Bees, as they may be easily 

 turned out of their burrows, by means of a knife or some similar 

 instrument, and captured with the fingers before they have dis- 

 engaged themselves from the debris of their portal. 



