HUMBLE-BEES. 



523 



Bees perish during the cold months, only a few females sur- 

 viving. These insects hide themselves in some convenient spot 

 until the following year ; and it is a remarkable fact, that instead 

 of availing themselves of the nest in which they had lived, they 

 invariably desert it and go to some sheltered crevice, where 

 they spend the winter alone. 



As a rule, the Humble Bees favour the more northern parts 

 of the world ; and, as Mr. F. Smith remarks, New Zealand and 



Fia. 280. — Bombus eajanensis. 

 (Black and yellow.) 



Bombus eximius. 

 (Black, with ruddy belts.) 



Australia seem to be without them. The two insects which are 

 represented in the accompanying illustration have been selected 

 as examples of southern Humble Bees. The figure on the left 

 represents Bombus cajanensis, which is, as its name implies, a 

 native of Cayenne. Its colours are very simple, being merely 

 black, banded with bright yellow. The other figure represents 

 Bombus eximius, a native of Silhet. It is covered with long, 

 dense, black, velvet-like hair, and the segments of the abdomen 

 are edged with fringes of long, ruddy chestnut hair. 



