92 



way from flower to flower, at a time when no other bee could be seen to brave the 

 wind and rain. 



" The male of this species is the latest of all in appearance, at least in our climate, 

 seldom appearing before the end of August or beginning of September; and may be 

 distinguished by his low flight along hedge-rows, and his stopping frequently as if in- 

 tending to go into the ground ; this he will continue for a mile together, and if watched, 

 he will be seen to return to the same places more than ten times in an hour. 



" There are two or three varieties of the Apis muscorum, of one of which, the work- 

 ers are good-sized bees, with scarcely any small ones in the nest: these inhabit the 

 West of England. I found that it does not answer the end to examine the nests of 

 the carders often. I found a strong nest in Northamptonshire a few years since, and 

 examined it repeatedly by breaking the moss. At last, a young friend of mine, wish- 

 ing to have it in his garden, we went one night to take it, and discovered about 1000 

 ants in possession of the combs, and all the bees gone. The ants had got through the 

 moss where it was broken and unguarded, and had overpowered the bees. 



" In the dry summer of 1844, although there were plenty of queen bees in the 

 spring, the wild bees were very scarce all over England. I believe firmly the ground 

 was so hard in May and June, that the queen mothers could not bore through it. I 

 never saw them so scarce as during that summer. A very wet summer destroys them 

 in the same proportion. A wild woodland country is the most favourable for their 

 increase in numbers: a rich pasture country without woods is very unfavourable for 

 the whole genus. 



" My acquaintance with the ' dumble dores ' is of fifty years' standing. I com- 

 menced catching them when a child. The first nest I took was in 1798, the last in 

 1848 ! I have spent many happy hours in studying their history and economy ; and 

 I trust those of my readers who are real naturalists, will not think the pursuit trifling 

 or unsatisfactory, as many do who are no lovers of these things. For myself, I may 

 truly say that to this day I feel thankful that the first fifteen years of my life were 

 spent in the country, and in these pursuits. The old adage, — 



" ' God made the country, and man made the town,' 

 is to me a true saying; for the agency of a Great First Cause is much more apparent 

 in every object around us, in the country than in the town. Even in the history of 

 these little insects, how wonderful their preservation during the winter ! Their frail 

 bodies are five months in the year in the cold wet earth, and other holes and corners, 

 (I once found one in a small fissure of a wooden fence ; it was dormant until the begin- 

 ning of February, when it recovered and flew away) : they arise from their long slum- 

 bers, refreshed by their rest, as soon as the glorious sun begins to warm the earth. 

 Should not this remind us mortals of the great change which must happen to us all, 

 when we shall be called into new and everlasting life, from the sleep of death ? 



" The study of the wild bee has this advantage over the hive bee, that young peo- 

 ple can follow it without danger : they are not vindictive, and if properly handled, do 

 not sting, even when defending their young. It can also be followed without cost, 

 except that of time ; and who is there that has not a leisure hour each day in the sum- 

 mer ? I therefore strongly recommend this study to my young friends in the country, 

 as an intellectual amusement. Natural History has of late years become more fashion- 

 able, and this is no mean part of it ; beides, it is accessible to nearly all who reside in 

 rural districts." 



