524 VARIETIES. 



Like most other moths, Polia Chi may be found in the winged 

 state for several weeks; and I consider its season as extending 

 from the middle of August to the middle or latter end of 

 October. 



Mr. Curtis has, from a similar paucity of specimens, fallen 

 into an error in describing as a new species Cliareas Hibernica. 

 His insect is only C. graminis, which is subject to consi- 

 derable variation in the light or antler-shaped markings of the 

 anterior wings. I was very much struck with the size of the 

 specimen figured by Mr. Curtis ; but he shewed me another 

 of the usual variety, quite as large, captured by himself in 

 Norfolk. Either the climate must have had great influence, 

 or the particular larvce from which the above were produced, 

 must have been, />ar excellence, gourmands ; for I never took 

 a specimen hereabouts much exceeding 1 inch 1 line from 

 tip to tip. 



George Wailes. 



67. Economy of the Hive-Bee. — Sir, The common Hive- 

 Bee {Apis mellifica, Linn.) has long and deservedly been the 

 theme of many writers on the wonders of the Insect world. 

 The following observations relative to it may, perhaps, prove 

 new and not altogether uninteresting. Against the south front 

 of our house, in the vicinity of this town, several plants of the 

 Pass/flora ccendea^ are trained, which cover it to the height of 

 some twenty feet, or thereabouts ; and, from July to Novem- 

 ber, the constant succession of its beautiful flowers attract 

 great numbers of the Hive-Bee, especially during autumn, 

 when flowers productive of much honey are scarce. Every 

 one knows the passion-flower, and need hardly be told that 

 one series of the rays of the nectary closely surrounds the 

 stipes or shaft, whilst other two are beautifully spread over 

 the horizontal leaves of the corolla ; but, perhaps, few are 

 aware that the tube of the calyx contains several drops of 

 pure and delicious honey. On the arrival of each Bee, I can 

 at once tell whether it has been a prior visitor or not, by its 



■^ Though foreign to Entomology, I may mention that two years ago the plants 

 perfected their fruit, both in the open air and greenhouse, being, as that eminent 

 horticulturist and true lover of nature, Mr. Ncill, of the Canon Mills, near Edin- 

 burgh, informed me the other day, the most northern spot where they had yet 

 done so. 



