234 BEES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



compared with that of B. hortorum, will be seen to have a thicker 

 and coarser pubescence ; but only a familiar acquaintance with 

 the Bombi will enable the student to discriminate several very 

 distinct species. This insect is not very abundant in the neigh- 

 bourhood of London, and is only occasionally met with. Mr. 

 Walcott finds it abundantly in the neighbourhood of Bristol, and 

 we are greatly indebted to him for his observations on this insect, 

 and for a fine series of examples presented to the Museum. 

 During the month of August 1853 and 1854 this insect occurred 

 in plenty at Southend, and thus an opportunity of observing it 

 presented itself. I obtained a highly coloured male in coitu with 

 the black variety, A. Harrisella, Kir by. 



Genus 17, APATHUS. 



Apis, pt., Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 317. 11 (1793). 

 Bombus, pt.,Fabr. Syst. Piez. 342 (1804). 

 Bremus, pt., Jurine, Hym. p. 257 (1807). 

 Apathus, Newm. Ent. Mag. ii. p. 404 (1834). 

 Psithyrus, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 424 (nee Hubner) (1841). 



The characters are those of the genus Bombus, with the fol- 

 lowing difference. The posterior tibiae are destitute of corbi- 

 culae, and are exteriorly convex ; the basal joint of the posterior 

 tarsi has no tooth, at its base above; the apex of the abdo- 

 men curves under ; the apical segment beneath has the lateral 

 margins elevated. The males also have the posterior tibiae con- 

 vex externally. 



Sexes two, male and female. 



1. Apathus rupestris. 

 A. hirsutus, ater; alis nigricantibus, ano rufo-fulvo. 



Apis rupestris, Fabr. Ent. Syst. ii. 320. 26 $ . 



Kir by, Mon. Ap. Angl. ii. 369. 108 $ . 

 Apis Albinella, Kirby, I. c. 361. 104 <J. 

 Apis frutetorura, Panz. Faun. Germ. 75. 18 $ . 



Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 350. 38. 

 Bremus pomorum, Panz. Faun. Germ. 75. 18 $ ? 

 Bombus rupestris, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 348. 26 ? . 



Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. xiv. 64. 3. 

 Psithyrus rupestris, St. Farg. Hym. ii. 426. 1. 



Drews. 8f Schiodte, Kroy. TidssJcr. ii. 125. 5. 



Curtis, Brit. Ent. x. t. 468. 



Nyland. Ap. Boreal, p. 241. 1. 



