266 INSECTA. 



Centris, Fab 



The species of this subgenus are only found in America *. 



Sometimes the maxillary palpi have but a single and very small 

 joint, which in some even becomes invisible. The paraglosse are 

 very short, and the mandibles dentated. 



Epicharis, Klilg. — Centris, Fab., 

 "Where the last joints of the labial palpi are in the same direction as, 

 the preceding ones, b\it rather indistinct and form the point of those 

 organs which resemble very elongated setse. The second and third 

 cubital cells receive, each, a recurrent nervuref. 



AcANTHOPus, Klilg, — Xylocopa, Fab., 

 Where the two last joints of the labial palpi form a small, oblique, 

 and lateral stem ; the third cvibital cell receives the two recurrent 

 nervures. 



The internal extremity of the two posterior tibiae presents two 

 strong dentated spines |. 



The last of the Apiarife form communities composed of mates and 

 females, and a considerable number of neuters or labourers. In the 

 internal face of the posterior tibise— la palette — of these latter indi- 

 viduals is a smooth depression — la corbeille — in which they place the 

 pellet of pollen collected with the silken down or brush attached to 

 the inner side of the first joint of the tarsi — la piece caree — of the 

 same leg. The maxillary palpi are very small and formed of a single 

 joint. The antennse are geniculate. 



Sometimes the posterior tibiae are terminated by two spines, as in 



Etjglossa, Lat. Fab., 

 Where the labrum is square, and the pseudo-proboscis is as long as 

 the body ; the labial palpi terminate in a point §, formed by the two 

 last joints. 



BoMBus, Lat. Fab., 

 Whex-e the labrum is transversal, the pseudo-proboscis is much 

 shorter than the body, and the second joint of the labial palpi termi-' 

 nates in a point, bearing the two others on its outer side. 



The vulgar name of these Insects, or Bourdons, is applied (in 

 France) to the males of the domestic Bee, but the Insects of which 

 we are now speaking are much larger, more rounded, and covered 

 Avith hairs frequently arranged in variously coloiu-ed bands. They 



* Lat., Ibid., 177. According to MM. Lepeletier and Serville, the P/ilofopi, 

 Kliig, are true Centres. 



t Lat., Ibid., 178. 



t Lat., Ibid., 178, 



§ Even in those species where the body is ahnost glabrous, such as the denfafa, 

 torduta, &c., the posterior face of the first joint of the two last tarsi is still furnished 

 with a brush. The habits of these Insects are unknown to us. Some individuals 

 differ from others by the anterior convexity or thickening of their posterior tibi«, 

 where we also remark, near the outer margin, a cleft or nanow and longitudinal 

 fossula. The genus Acjlae of Lepeletier and Serville— Encyc. Method., Insect., 

 X, 105 — appears to have been established on similar individuals. See Lat,, Ibid. 

 These Apiarise are peculiar to South America. 



