198 THE HUMBLE-BEE VIII 
England the coat is slightly shorter than in specimens 
from Scotland. Basal part of hind metatarsus less dis- 
tinctly engraved than in helferanus and agrorum. 
Irish examples are intermediate between the English 
and Scottish varieties. 
WORKER.—Length 10-16 mm. 
Only differs from the queen in size. 
MALE.—Slightly larger than 4. /elferanus ; length 14- 
15 mm., expanse 26-28 mm. 
Coloured like the queen, but there is little or no trace of 
bands on the abdomen, and in bright fresh specimens the 
abdomen is flushed with lemon ; this colour, however, soon 
becomes dingy, fading to pale brown. 
Coat slightly longer, slightly more even, and slightly denser 
than in helferanus. 
Joints of the antennz slightly swollen behind, as in 
helferanus ; length of flagellum 54 mm. 
Armature distinct, but approaching that of B. hed- 
feranus; among other differences the forceps at their 
extremities are broader and blunter than in 4elferanus. 
A male taken at Loo Bridge, in south-west Ireland, by 
Col. Yerbury, had the thorax dark chestnut-brown and the coat 
generally of a brownish tinge.—(Lx¢. Mon. Mag. for 1902, p. 54.) 
B. muscorum is not an abundant species, but it 
is distributed throughout the kingdom, It is more 
common in Scotland and Ireland than in England. 
In Kent, and probably in other southern and eastern 
counties, it is chiefly confined to marshy districts. [ 
have taken it in Romney Marsh on the flowers of 
the marsh mallow, and at Ripple I occasionally met 
with specimens in clover fields, most of which have 
probably strayed from the marshes near Deal. 
In July 1911, having been informed by some 
