viii PREFACE. 



bution of the species outside the British Isles could be 

 usefully added to the localities given, but there is so much 

 doubt about the identity of many of the British and Con- 

 tinental species which bear the same names, and different 

 countries have been so unequally worked by collectors, 

 that to define areas at present would, if the author may 

 adapt an expression from a critic of his former work on 

 llfiinptera Hdeioptcra, throw more light on the distribution 

 of Hymenopterists than on that of Hymenoptera. 



The species of Hymenoptera Aculeata now known to be 

 indigenous to this country number 374. Of these 20 

 belong to the Heterogyna, or Ants; 127 to the Fossores, or 

 Sand Wasps; 23 to the Dqdop (era, ov true Wasps; and 

 204 to the Anfhophila , or pollen-collecting Bees. There 

 are, no doubtj others yet to be found, and the author trusts 

 that all who have doubtful specimens will send them to 

 him for examination, as he is always ready to be of use if 

 possible, and it is amongst the doubtful ones that 

 additions to our fauna are likely to be discovered. 



Edward Saunders. 

 St. Ann's, Woking 



Eehruarj/, 181)6. 



