98 THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



(Zool., vol. iii., p. 1012), so long ago as the year 1845. In 

 this the following observations occur on the question of 

 parasitism; they will bear repeating after the lapse of thirty 

 years : — " Most authors who have described or alluded to 

 this genus since the publication of Kirby's ' Monographia' 

 have described these bees as parasitic insects; but I am not 

 1 aware that anyone has proved them to he so. This supposi- 

 tion 1 believe to be founded on their wanting the pollinigerous 

 organs, combined witli a habit they have of entering holes or 

 burrows in banks, as if in search of the nest of some bee, 

 wherein to deposit their eggs. This, however, is but slight 

 1 evidence. There is, perhaps, no insect which has the habit 

 \ of entering the burrows of other species more constantly than 

 \Trypoxylon Figulus, — an insect which I have ascertained 

 \to be no parasite, since it furnishes its nest with spiders; 

 still I have observed it burrowing. Again, Ceratina is desti- 

 tute of pollinigerous organs ; but this insect has been proved 

 by Mr. Thwaites to construct its own nidus. Keaumur has 

 described Sphekodes as excavating its burrows in the bare 

 sections of banks to the depth of nine or ten inches, in which 

 to deposit its eggs, together with a supply of pollen and 

 honey. Mr. Kirby appears to have entertained the same 

 view ; and my own observation leads me to a similar conclu- 

 sion. On several occasions I have seen these bees busily 

 engaged in burrowing; and last summer J watched one thus 

 employed for a considerable length of time. All that I have 

 seen engaged in this way selected a spot either in the midst 

 of a colony of Halicli or Andrenae. 1 think it, however, very 

 probable that they frequently make use of a ready-formed 

 burrow, and that they furnish a supply of liquid honey in the 

 manner of CoUetes or Ceratina. I am thus led to dissent 

 from the generally-received opinion of their being parasitic, 

 and shall endeavour, by future observation, to place their true 

 habits beyond a doubt. Walckenaer, Serville, and St.Fargeau, 

 agree in considering Sj^hekodes to be parasitic on Plalicti. 

 My own observation has shown me that they are as frequently 

 lo be found in company with colonies of Andrenae; and, if 

 parasitic, it will eventually be found that they are by no means 

 confined to the genus Ilalictus." — 'Zoolof/ht,'' p. 1011 (1845). 

 Ten years later Mr. Smith, in his ' Catalogue of British 

 Bees,' seems to remain of this opinion, for he says — 



