304 Mr. G. E. Bodkin's Notes on 



Subfamily BOMBINAE. 



Genus Bombus, Latr. 



B. cayennensis, F, A common species fomid only in the 

 interior. 



Genus Melipona, 111. 



M. inferni'pfa, Latr. This species is widely distributed 

 and common. The specimens in the collection were all 

 taken while they were collecting soft mud from paths. 



M. pallida, Latr. A fairly common species in the 

 interior. A small nest on one occasion observed in a 

 rotten log of timber w^ith a small circular hole formed of 

 wax for exit. When the nest is disturbed they swarm 

 out and attack by biting the exposed parts of the head 

 and neck, emitting at the same time a shrill buzzing 

 sound. These small bees possess a peculiar odour which 

 is characteristic. 



M. favosa, F. A common species on the coast lands, 

 where it is known as the Courida Bee, from a supposed 

 habit of collecting honey from the flowers of the maritime 

 Courida {Avicennia nitida). The nests are found in hollow 

 trees, etc., especially in old Courida trees, but they have 

 been found in disused drain -pipes and other unlikely 

 places. This bee ^^ossesses no sting, and I have never 

 observed it to attack in any way ; when the nest is dis- 

 turbed the bees swarm out, but do not demonstrate their 

 resentment in any more practical manner. This bee is 

 frequently domesticated, and when the nests are found in 

 the field they are removed, taken home, and put in wooden 

 boxes with a small exit hole. They thrive in captivity. 

 The honey which they produce is thin and of a somewhat 

 insipid flavour; mixed with other ingredients it is utilised 

 by the natives as a cure for cold in the throat or chest. 

 The honey is stored in egg-shaped cells constructed of wax, 

 about 1-2—2 inches in 'length; similar cells are also con- 

 structed containing nothing but wax. The cells contain- 

 ing the larvae are 8 nmi. in length and about 5 mm. in 

 breadth . 



M. davipes, F, A common species in most parts of 

 the Colony, The nests are usually constructed in hollow 

 decaying logs. The following notes on the nesting habits 

 of this species were made from a nest which was found in 

 a hollow log of Trysil Avood {Penladclhra. filamenlosa). 

 The extreme length of the hollowed-out portion containing 



