208 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



pubescent, and about one-third longer than the labial palpi. 

 Maxillary palpi two - jointed. The superior wings with one 

 marginal and three submarginal cells, the second submarginal 

 cell much narrowed towards the marginal, receiving the first re- 

 current nervure about the middle ; the third submarginal nar- 

 rowed towards the marginal, receiving the second recurrent ner- 

 vure near its apex. The posterior legs in the females have 

 on the upper and under margins of the tibiae externally,, a dense 

 fringe of stiff hairs, forming a corbicula or pollen -basket ; the 

 exterior surface of the tibia3 smooth, shining, and broadly di- 

 lated; the basal joint of the tarsi elongate, broad, flattened, and 

 slightly concave exteriorly, deeply notched at the base, form- 

 ing a stout tooth ; the exterior margins ciliated with short stiff 

 hairs ; the claws bifid. 



In the males the tongue is more elongate and slender; the 

 mandibles have a dense fringe of curled hair on their inferior 

 margins ; the antennae are more slender, and longer ; the poste- 

 rior tibia3 are not furnished with a corbicula, and are slightly 

 thickened; the basal joint of the posterior tarsi not notched at 

 the base ; the abdomen has an additional segment, and the 

 antennas an additional joint. 



The genus Bombus consists of a large number of species ; it 

 is widely distributed, having an extensive geographical range; 

 twelve species are known to inhabit Java, India, and China; 

 they are, however, apparently most abundant in northern lati- 

 tudes. America produces several very beautiful species : from 

 the arctic regions of that continent have been received species 

 not distinguishable from those of Northern Europe. Several 

 fine species are inhabitants of South America, but the genus has 

 not yet been observed in Australia or New Zealand. The Bombi 

 are the most generally known of all the genera of wild bees, 

 hence they have received a variety of popular names : in Hamp- 

 shire they are called Dumbledors, in other districts Bumble-bees 

 and Hummel-bees ; the brown species are known in Scotland 

 as the Foggie-bee, no idea existing of there being more than one 

 species of that colour. It is very probable that Humble may be 

 a corruption of humming, for we constantly find, in Natural 

 History, popular names given to animals and plants extremely 

 characteristic. No one, who loves to watch Nature in all her 

 varied guise, can have failed in early spring, when the catkins 

 are first found on the willow, to notice the loud hum of the 



