IIG The Aeidcatc Hymcnoiitera of Barrachpore. 



his capturing a single specimen until initiated in their 

 ways. 



Nomada adusta, Smith. — You could always find one or 

 two specimens of this little Nomada flitting about and 

 settling on blades of grass in the shade of the big trees in 

 Barrackpore Park, near the Vice-regal kitcliens. 



Parc'vaspis carhonaria, Smith. — Common in Barrackpore 

 Park on the blossom of Duranta 'pluinieri and other 

 flowering shrubs and trees. 



Mcgacliilc Mcolor, Fab. ; M. laiiaia, Fab. ; M. dujuncta, 

 Fab. — Three of the commonest bees in the district, and 

 may be seen at any time anywhere, busy with their leaf- 

 cutting operations. 



Grocisa cmarginata, Lep. ; G. histrio, Fab. — Common in 

 the Park on the flowers of various shrubs and trees, 

 particularly the blossom of Duranta 'plu7m€ri. 



Anthoplioru cinrta, Lin.; A. Meincta, Fab. — Common 

 throughout the hot weather and rains about Pulta, 

 frequenting the flowers of a plant much like our own 

 dead-nettle, which is so attractive to our species in 

 England ; indeed, I came across this plant at Pulta one 

 day before I had seen the bee. I felt AntlioplioQ^a should 

 be near, and sure enough in a few minutes hicincta and 

 cinda appeared. My delight was great, for I had not 

 been long in India and it reminded me of home. 



Xylocopa. — Generally common, but more particularly so 

 iu both Barrackpore and Ischapur Parks. They form their 

 colonies in the half-decayed trunks of trees, and can be 

 found nearly the whole year round at the flowers of every 

 tree, shrub, or plant. The yellow blossoms of Thcvctia 

 nercifolia are a constant attraction to them, also Argyrcia 

 nervosa (elephant creeper) and the always favoured 

 Duranta pi umicr I. 



The males of CEstuans have a curious habit of frequenting 

 trees of the china-box which grow in the Park and also 

 in the deserted gardens of some ruins at Pulta; they circle 

 round and round the trees high up and well out of reach for 

 hours together, but never settling or resting for a second. 



Apjhis indira, Fab.; A. florca, Fab. — Common in tlie 

 Park and in one's gardens, but not to the same extent as 

 our own lioney bee is at home. The fine bee. Aphis 

 dorsata, which is so common " up-country " in the North- 

 West Provinces, Oudh and the Punjaub, I have never 

 met with in the Barrackpore or Calcutta districts. 



