OF NEW ENGLAND. 109 



in it.s early stages especially, we know nothing definite. 

 We are not yet acquainted with the forms of the larva 

 and pupa as distinguished from those of the bee upon 

 which it is a pirasite, and indeed know the two sexes of 

 but a single species. As yet we know of no ichneumon 

 parasite of Bombus. It will be of interest to determine 

 whether this genus by reason of its secluded habits 

 while in the preparatory stages of its existence, is exempt 

 from the attacks of these vigilant enemies to most other 

 insects. 



For a proper study of our Humble bees, we should 

 collect the nests and colonies from the last of May until 

 late in the autumn. We should watch the queen bees 

 as they are searching for deserted mice nests, or 

 other convenient places, in which to rear their colo- 

 nies, and follow them to their holes. We should then 

 watch for the different broods, and collect, the young 

 and mature bees of both sexes, and also of the work- 

 ers, or undeveloped females; and as it is a well known 

 fact that each sex including the workers are composed of 

 individuals of two sizes, we should endeavor to trace the 

 history of each of the six forms into which the species 

 is specialized and ascertain the functions of each. Early 

 in the spring we can only capture those queens which 

 have survived the winter; while late in the fall we can 

 often secure the males in large numbers, as they frequent 

 autumnal flowers. 



It will therefore be necessary in order to collect the 

 young of all these different broods, to take the nests at 

 short intervals during the summer. The cells containing 

 the young, with whatever parasites that may be found 

 among them, mny be placed in alcohol, while the mature 

 bees may be pinned. The simplest method of collecting the 

 nests is to visit them before sunrise or after sunset, when 

 all the bees are in the nest and we can secure the whole 

 colony. The bees can be picked up with forceps as they 

 emerge from the nest, or caught with the net and then 

 pinned. Refractory colonies may easily be quelled by 

 pouring in ether or chloroform, or burning sulphur at the 

 aperture, as is the best method of procedure with wasps' 

 nests. The alcoholic specimens of the mature bees may 



