SPRING. 
51 
furnish employment for a whole day. Sallow 
in bloom, attracts several species of bees and 
other insects. Clover, tares, &c. also while 
in bloom attract many insects, particularly 
moths in the evening. The flower garden will 
give constant employment to those who cannot 
extend their researches. Sand and gravel 
banks, in fine sunny weather, will be found 
very productive of bees, and other Hymen- 
optera; they are extremely numerous, and new 
species are occasionally being discovered. In 
these situations they are extremely active in 
their movements, and it will require consider- 
able dexterity to catch them. forceps will 
be of service close to the banks, and the clap 
or bag-net for stragglers. 
Some species of wild bees are subject to 
the attack of a most singular parasitic insect, 
{Sty lops Melittce) (found about May at 
Coombe Wood, &c.) which, from its rarity, 
and the singularity of its history, is a most 
interesting and desirable object. This parasite 
was first discovered on the Melittce {Andrena) 
nigrocenea, and since on several other species. 
* For a very full and interesting account and figures 
of the dissections of this singular and interesting insect, 
vide Kirby’s “ Monographia Apum Angliae,” Vol. ii. 
p. 110, and plate 14, No. 2, Fig. 1. &c. 
