[ 40* ] 



ORANGJi-TAlLED BEE*. 



This is one of the largest of the British bees ; but 

 It varies in size, being sometimes half an inch, and 

 sometimes an inch in length. Its body is black or 

 dark brown, and hairy ; and the extremity of the 

 abdomen of a bright orange colour. The wings 

 are light brown. 



The nest constructed by this insect is of a very 

 elegant appearance, being of an oval form, and 

 composed of bits of the larger mosses, closely and 

 neatly compacted together. A small round hole 

 or entrance is left on one side. These nests are 

 about four inches in diameter on the exterior, and 

 are generally formed on dry shady banks, in woods, 

 lanes, or meadows, The food laid up for the larva? 

 consists of a kind of honey of a brownish colour, 

 disposed in somewhat irregular masses or heaps t 

 for these bees do not form any regular cells or 

 combs, like some of the others f. 



THE ANTS. 



ALL the species of Ants known in this country 

 are gregarious ; and, like the bees, consist of males, 



* Synonyms.— Apis lapidarla. Linn. — Red-tailed Bee. Great 

 Orange-tailed Garden Bee. Shaws Nat. Mis. 



+ Shaw's Nat. Mis. vol. xii. tab. 454.. 



