On Two new ^^ Pocket- Mice'''' of the Genus Heteromys. 829 



rate and distinct from its neighbour, though generally on tlie 

 same or nearly the same horizontal plane. 



In our nest there are several layers one above another, the 

 main support being thin walls of wax built up the sides and 

 throughout the mass at intervals in a perpendicular manner, 

 and reaching to the top of the hive. 



The queen has a very large body, very much larger in 

 comparison with the workers than that of the queen of the 

 common hive-bee, and very similar to some of the termites. 

 A small dipterous insect was observed in the nest when it was 

 first taken, but this disappeared after it was fully sealed. 

 This may prove to be the natural enemy of this insect. 



Our bee has no sting, which renders it particularly easy to 

 handle and observe, and the want of which doubtlessly 

 occasions it to use such careful means of defence to secure its 

 home from the attacks of its enemies. 



The honey is perfectly sweet and wholesome, very clear, 

 and of a nice flavour, but when squeezed out soon becomes 

 sour. 



Another species of Trigona is found in hollow or decayed 

 trees in our gardens, in large nests 2 to 3 feet in diameter, 

 formed of black, gummy, waxy, or resinous matter. This 

 species is very pugnacious, and attacks persons coming near 

 it, with a buzz and hum similar to that of the common honey- 

 bee ; but it is powerless to harm, as it has no sting. It, 

 however, fixes itself in the hair of the head or beard, and 

 produces a peculiar tickling feeling, which quickly induces a 

 sensation of fear in those who know the result of the attack 

 of an angry common hive-bee ; and even when its cha- 

 racter is known the attack (almost unconsciously) causes the 

 intruder to retreat. 



LIV. — Bescriijtion of Two new '•'• Pocket-Mice'''' of the Genus 

 Heteromys. By Oldfield Thomas. 



While attempting to determine a specimen belonging to the 

 genus Heteromys obtained by Dr. Audley Buller in Jalisco, 

 Mexico, I have found it necessary to make an examination of 

 all the species of the genus, and I find that they are readily 

 divisible into groups by the characters of the soles, whether 

 naked or hairy, with five pads or six. These characters do 

 not seem to have been known to Mr. Alston when, in his 



