BEE WORK 141 



operations are a study in the capabilities of 

 instinct. I have chosen as an example of 

 this genus Megachile centuncularis (Plate XIII., 

 Fig. 11), ten lines, a little bee having the 

 thorax closely punctured, and clothed with 

 fine, golden-brown hairs, and the abdomen 

 grey and black. The bees of the genus 

 Andrena appear very early in the year. 

 Andrena albicans (Plate XIII., Fig. 12), eleven 

 lines, has the thorax fulvous, the abdomen 

 shining and punctured, with golden hairs 

 at the tip, and the apex bright red. The 

 male is smaller and more slender. 



Before closing this chapter it is necessary 

 to advert to the important functions in 

 relation to the reproduction of plants dis- 

 charged by bees and some other insects, 

 particularly the former. It is now well 

 known that many plants would not produce 

 seed, and, therefore, would not reproduce 

 themselves, without being fertilized by the 

 transfer of pollen effected by visits of bees. 

 This is a wonderful truth. If bees did not 

 seek honey and pollen in the way that they 

 do, many beautiful flowers and useful plants 

 would become extinct. We ought, therefore, 



