52 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



detail is necessarily imperfect, from the immense number of 

 our native insects. As the Bee is the most useful to man, 

 and the group, in its extended signification, requires some 

 explanation, it shall be placed at the head of the list. 



Bee is the English name for all those hymenopterous in- 

 sects which compose the Linnsean genus Apis, now formed 

 into two groups, namely, the Apidce and Andrenido^yAistm- 

 guished from each other by the parts of the mouth, which 

 in the Apidce are long, forming a trunk, folded under the 

 head and breast when in a state of repose, and stretched 

 forward when the insect is robbing flowers of their nectar ; 

 the mouth of the Andrenidce, or rather the parts forming 

 that organ, are short. Another difference consists in the 

 latter having only males and females in their societies, 

 whilst the former possess the neuters, or working Bees, in 

 addition. 



The family Apida? is that which will now engage our at- 

 tention ; it is divided into two groups, the Solitary and the 

 Social Bees. In the former, the tibia, or shank of the hind 

 leg, in the female, is clothed with hairs ; whilst in the latter, 

 with the exception of the queen, this portion of the leg is 

 broad and concave, forming a trough to carry home pollen 

 for the use of the community : this may be noticed as one 



