HYMEXOPTERA. ACULEATA. 243 



The last sub-family of Bees is the Sociales, contain- 

 ing the Humble Bees (Bombus), and the Hive Bees, 

 besides a genus of large Cuckoo Bees (Apathus) which 

 so nearly resemble the Humble Bees that, although 

 supposed not to be nest-builders, they are naturally 

 associated with them ; all these have three submarginal 

 cells. (PI. IX., fig. 6. Bombus terrestris ? .) 



The Humble Bees are too well known to require de- 

 scription, and no others are likely to be mistaken for 

 them, except the parasitic Apathus. Their large, heavy, 

 handsomely-clothed bodies, their pleasant hum, and their 

 busy habits, render them noticeable to the least obser- 

 vant, and they are almost universal favourites. 



In habits they are social, or partially so ; and, like 

 the other social Hymenoptera, they consist of males, 

 females, and neuters. In one respect their habits re- 

 semble those of the Ants rather than of the other Social 

 Bees (the Hive Bees), namely, the existence in their 

 community of several females at the same time. 



The nest is founded in the spring by a single female, 

 who either builds it of moss, grass, &c., or, if a ground 

 Bee, chooses some ready-made hollow wherein to com- 

 mence her work. Here she differs from the ground 

 Wasp, who, under similar circumstances, never selects a 

 cavity larger than is required for her present use, this 

 being enlarged as it becomes necessary ; while the Bee 

 chooses one large enough to contain the nest when it 

 shall have attained its full size. From the first-laid eggs 

 (as in the case of the Wasps), only neuters are hatched. 

 The nests are lined snugly with moss, grass, horsehair, 

 or other suitable material, with the addition of a waxen 

 cement. The young enclose themselves for their change 

 in silk cocoons, whence, like such of the Ants as spin 



