306 Mr. r,. E. Bodkin's Notes on 



bees possess a peculiar smell, due to the character of the 

 substance which they collect on their hind-legs. A large 

 nest observed on one occasion on the branches of a Pimento 

 tree {Pimetild olficiiinJis). 



M . riifivciitris, Lep., var. JIavoh'iicald, Friese. Tumatu- 

 inari, Essequebo River. 



Alelipona amalOiea, F. A common and widely distributed 

 species. May be observed on the blossoms of most garden 

 plants, and is particularly fond of feeding on over-ripe 

 fruit. It hiay also frequently be seen collecting mud 

 from damp ymths, creeks, etc. Known locally as " Tarbaby 

 bees." It has a habit of collecting the scrap-rubber from 

 recently tapped trees of Hevea brasiliensis. 



M. rufivenlris, Lep. Rockstone, Essequebo River. 



M. (laUalorreana, Friese. East Coast, Demerara. 



M. niiildld. Lep. U])per Demerara River. 



Genus Aris, Linn. 



A. meUifer<i, L. Oidy a small munber of hives of the 

 domestic bee are kept in the Colony, and these are prin- 

 ci|ially owned by the Chinese and Portuguese. The honey 

 pi'oduced is of good quality and very sweet. Fresh stock 

 is usually imported from the United States. They are 

 mostly " Italian bees." The Wax Moth {GaUeria melloneUa, 

 L.) is common and causes nuich damage. 



Family VESPIDAE. 

 Subfamily VE8PINAE. 

 Cenus PoLiSTES, Latr. 



P. ]m(^ifi(^^'s, ^^- Essequebo Coast. An uncommon 

 species. 



P. analis, F. A fairly conunon species in the interior. 



P. versicolor, Oliv. A common species on the coast 

 lands. 



P. goeldii, Ducke. A rare species in the interior. 



P. canadensis, L., var. amazomcvs, 8chulz. The com- 

 monest species of Polisfes in the Colony, occurring every- 

 where. Unless severely molested it rarely attacks people, 

 but its sting is both powerful and painful, and causes a 

 severe swelling. Large nests arc rarely seen, the usual 

 number of cells being about twenty. Beneath bridges, 

 houses, on the rafters, imder the eaves, beneath the plat- 

 form of railway stations, behind pictures, etc., are favourite 



