98 THE ENTOMOLOGIST, 
(Zool., vol. iii., p. 1012), so long ago as the year 1845. In 
this the following observations occur on the question of 
parasitism; they will bear repeating after the lapse of thirty 
years :—“ Most authors who have described or alluded to 
this genus since the publication of Kirby’s ‘Monographia’ 
have described these bees as parasitic insects; but I am not 
aware that anyone has proved them to be so. This supposi- 
tion | believe to be founded on their wanting the pollinigerous 
organs, combined with a habit they have of entering holes or 
burrows in banks, as if in search of the nest of some bee, 
wherein to deposit their eggs. This, however, is but slight 
evidence. ‘There is, perhaps, no insect which has the habit 
of entering the burrows of other species more constantly than 
Trypoxylon Figulus,—an insect which IL have ascertained 
to be no parasite, since it furnishes its nest with spiders; 
still I have observed it burrowing. Again, Ceratina is desti- 
tute of pollinigerous organs; but this insect has been proved 
by Mr. Thwaites to construct its own nidus. Réaumur has 
described Sphekodes as excavating its burrows in the bare 
sections of banks to the depth of nine or ten inches, in which 
to deposit its eggs, together with a supply of pollen and 
honey. Mr. Kirby appears to have entertained the same 
view; and my own observation leads me to a similar conclu- 
sion. On several occasions I have seen these bees busily 
engaged in burrowing; and last summer I watched one thus 
employed for a considerable length of time. All that I have 
seen engaged in this way selected a spot either in the midst 
of a colony of Halicti or Andrenz. I think it, however, very 
probable that they frequently make use of a ready-formed 
burrow, and that they furnish a supply of liquid honey in the 
manner of Colletes or Ceratina. I am thus led to dissent 
from the generally-received opinion of their being parasitic, 
and shall endeavour, by future observation, to place their true 
habits beyond a doubt. Walckenaer, Serville, and St. Fargeau, 
agree in considering Sphekodes to be parasitic on Halicti. 
My own observation has shown me that they are as frequently 
to be found in company with colonies of Andrenz; and, if 
parasitic, it will eventually be found that they are by no means 
confined to the genus Halictus.”—‘ Zoologist, p. 1011 (1845). 
Ten years later Mr. Smith, in his ‘Catalogue of British 
Bees, seems to remain of this opinion, for he says— 
