EPEOLUS. 261 



supporters, and the same of Melecta, Cmlioxys, and Stelis. 

 These facts puzzle investigation for a reason; nor will 

 the perplexity be speedily solved. All that we can sur- 

 mise is that there must be a motive for it, for wherever 

 we successfully elicit her secret from the veiled goddess, 

 we invariably find the reason founded in profound wis- 

 dom. In some cases the mystery seems devised to test 

 our sagacity, but it cannot be so here, for the most pal- 

 pable and plausible cause that would suggest itself in the 

 supposition of its being for the guardianship and apprisal 

 of the sitos is often contravened, as in this instance, by 

 it and its parasite living in great harmony together, 

 again by the desertion of its nidus by Eucera in favour 

 of the parasite, although itself is a very much more power- 

 ful insect ; but in the cases of Panurgus, Hallclus, and 

 Andrena, they all live well reconciled to the intrusion 

 of the stranger's young, and this, without their enumera- 

 tion, may be adopted as nearly the universal case. The 

 hostility of Anthophora, previously noticed, is an almost 

 insulated case of the contrary. The form of these insects 

 does not promise much activity, and we accordingly find 

 that they are slow, heavy, and indolent ; yet they must 

 be cautiously handled, for they sting acutely; but in- 

 deed it is not well ever to handle insects whose mark- 

 ings, as we find them in these, consist of a close nap, as 

 evanescent as the down upon a plum, and of course the 

 fingers carry it readily off, and disfigure the beauty of 

 the little specimen. When their special habitat is not 

 known they may often be found upon the blossoming 

 Ragwort in the vicinity, or upon the Mouse-ear Hawk- 

 weed (Hieracium murorum) within whose flowers they 

 are frequently observed enjoying their siesta. 



