OF NORTHUMBEBLAND AND DURHAM. 166 



the bee applies the two pairs of fore feet to the lower lip, its 

 head to the upper one, forces open the mouth, and enters, the 

 mouth of the flower closing immediately behind it : the insect 

 appears as if caught in a trap, and is completely out of sight ; 

 but no, staying a few seconds, out she comes backwards, and 

 flies ofi" to repeat the process elsewhere. Occasionally she ap- 

 pears to be unable to open the flower in the usual way, but is 

 not to be baffled, for quickly reversing her position, she forces 

 the mouth open, and enters back downwards. Wonderful, in- 

 deed, is the instinct which teaches this little creature thus to 

 secure the store provided for its use by a bountiful Providence ! 



2. B. senilis, Fab, Smith, Monog., 214, 2; B. cognatus, 



Steph., lUust. Supp. 



Found throughout our district, but nowhere in abundance. I 

 have seen a good number of males feeding on the heather on 

 the Cumberland Moors, in August. The females are first seen 

 in May, thence up to the end of September. 



3. B.fragrans, Pallas. Smith, Monog., 216, 4; Kirby, Mon. 



Ap. Angl., II., 829, 83 $. 



Sparingly distributed inland ; rather more abundant on the 

 coast between Sunderland and Shields, where I once, in July, 

 saw a great many females feeding on the common red clover 

 {Trifolimn 2Jrate7ise). The males frequent the thistles in August 

 and September. When alive, this species has an agreeable per- 

 fume, resembling roses. 



4. B. sylvarum, Linn. Smith, Monog., 217, 5; Apis sylva- 



rum, Kirby, Mon. Ap. Angl., II., 326, 82, t. 17, f. 15 $, 

 16 $. 



A very beautiful species, found throughout our district, and by 

 no means rare. I have not seen the female astir before the first 

 week in June. Both female and worker have a very shrill piping 

 note, which is quite distinct from that of any other species. 



