some British Gviana Hymenoptera. 305 



the nest was 32 inches. Three distinct layers of various 

 kinds of cells were observed on splitting open the log 

 longitudinally. The layer next to the entrance consisted 

 of wax cells about h inch in length and '^ inch in diameter ; 

 ovate in shape. The length of this layer was 8 inches. 

 These wax cells were yellowish in colour and contained 

 solid wax. To the taste the wax had an exceedingly bitter 

 flavour, and a sour smell which seemed to pervade the 

 whole nest. The layer next to the wax cells contained 

 honey cells ; this layer was 9 inches in length. The cells 

 themselves were slightly smaller than the wax cells, same 

 shape and dark brown in colour. The contained honey 

 was thick, very sweet and jwssessed quite a good flavour, 

 but if the slightest trace of the wax coating of the cell 

 got mixed with the honey the bitterness of the wax entirely 

 obliterated the pleasant flavour of the honey. The next 

 layer consisted of the cells with embryonic bees in various 

 stages of development; it was 9 inches in length. These 

 cells were about | inch in length and dull yellow in colour. 

 In shape they were cylindrical. Apjiarently the nest was 

 entirely enclosed, with the exception of the exit. This 

 exit was by no means a conspicuous object, as it was 

 constructed of wax much the same colour and texture as 

 the surrounding bark. It was slightly raised above the 

 surface of the bark, and roughly cone-shaped with a very 

 small exit hole. Attention was drawn to the presence of 

 this nest by the bees hovering around the exit. This 

 species is by no means so pugnacious as some of the other 

 species of Melipona. 



M. recurva, Sm. An unconnnon species from the N.W. 

 District. 



M. lineata, Lep. Bartica, Essequebo Eiver. 



M. Jlavipennis, Sm. Taken on one occasion while 

 attending flowers of Guava. 



M. varia, Lep. A nest of this species observed in a 

 large greenheart beam supporting the hotel at Rockstone, 

 Essequebo River. A non-pugnacious species. The entrance 

 to the nest is funnel shaped and constructed of wax. 



M. guianae, Ckll. A most pugnacious species. If the 

 nest is only slightly disturbed the bees swarm out and 

 attack the intruder by biting the exposed parts of the 

 head and neck, at the same time emitting a shrill buzzing. 

 The nests (which are large) are usually constructed m the 

 branches of trees at some distance from the ground. The 



