196 THE HUMBLE-BEE vin 
Coat somewhat shorter and less shaggy than in 
agrorum. 
Joints of the antennz less swollen behind than in 
agrorum ; length of flagellum 54 mm. 
Armature distinct, but approaching that of B. mus- 
corum. 
This species has been so much confused with 
BL. muscorum that the extent of its distribution in 
the United Kingdom is very imperfectly known. 
It is not rare in the Dover district, and has 
been taken, not uncommonly, in various localities 
in Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Sussex, Oxfordshire, 
Hampshire, and Devonshire. It probably occurs 
throughout the south and east of England. I have 
seen a specimen from Manchester, and another from 
Helsby in Cheshire, but know of no other captures 
in the north. All the supposed Irish examples that 
J have seen have been BL. muscorum. 
In East Kent the queens appear later immer 
spring than those of any other species, generally 
not until June. All the nests that I have taken 
have been on the surface of the ground. 
The very mild temper of this species is in strong 
contrast to the revengeful disposition of B. mus- 
corum. 
On the Continent the colouring of this species is 
very variable, a black variety being common in many 
places ; this has not been met with in England. 
