Sept., 1917-] Cockerell: Collecting Bees in Southern Texas. 187 



description except that the antennae are shorter and the sculpture of 

 prosternum is similar to that of the female of frigidum. It is nearest 

 allied to frigidum, but the lateral area of prothorax is less coarsely 

 sculptured and the lateral margin of elytra scarcely at all reflexed. 



Callidium lacustre Casey. 



This species was described from a single specimen, a female, from 

 Bayfield, Wisconsin. It is unknown to me, at least, a single specimen 

 which I refer doubtfully to this species has the prothorax below dis- 

 tinctly metallic blue and the sides of prothorax are not subangulate, 

 but rather broadly rounded. However, in not fully developed speci- 

 mens the underside usually shows scarcely a sign of metallic luster and 

 as shown above the form of prothorax is more or less variable. The 

 specimen in question looks superficially like a small vioiacciim but the 

 sculpture of prothorax is different and the hind femora are shorter 

 and more suddenly clubbed than in that species; it is, however, more 

 closely related to frigidum but has longer antennal joints than that 

 species. 



COLLECTING BEES IN SOUTHERN TEXAS. 



' By Wilmatte P. Cockerell, 



Boulder, Color.\do. 



There are only two seasons in Colorado, the pessimists say, sum- 

 mer and winter; and even the greatest admirer of Colorado weather 

 must wish that spring, always late in coming, was not a succession of 

 frosts and snowstorms. So it was with a distinct feeling of pleasure 

 that I left Boulder, Colorado, the last day of March, to spend a few 

 days in San Benito, Texas, a small town near the Mexican border. 



The maples were in blossom in Boulder, the catkins of the willows 

 were still in their smallest "pussy" state; sheltered by rocks on 

 warm hill slopes a few pasque flowers and spring daisies {Tozvnscndia) 

 were blossoming, and honey bees and a few venturous Andrcna flew 

 about — signs that spring might come, indeed, though as I write this 

 near the tenth of May there are still no leaves on the trees, and no 

 wild bees flying. Kansas was weeks ahead, with blossoming coverts 



