103 BRITISH BEES. 



more distinguished exotic genera and species, as sup- 

 plementary to the preceding notice of the geographical 

 range of those which are indigenous with us. 



How our own species reached us is a subject which 

 has at present eluded all satisfactory determination. 

 For its solution we must await the further discoveries of 

 geology; at present we can only attribute their advent 

 here to the same causes which are common to the pro- 

 duction of all our groups of both the animal and the vege- 

 table kingdoms. 



Knowing how affluent tropical and subtropical countries 

 are in the variety, size, and number of the forms, as well 

 as in the splendour of their plants and vertebrated 

 animals, we may fairly expect as gorgeous a richness in 

 the insects they produce. Nor shall we be disappointed, 

 for the imperial magnificence of their Lepidoptera and 

 Coleoptera guarantees an equivalent brilliancy in the 

 other orders of insects, and which is fully confirmed by 

 the harmonious splendour of their bees. 



They thus put forward claims to attention and must 

 excite curiosity by their beauty and size, which the com- 

 parative smallness of our own, and the usual dulness of 

 their colours do not possess. The latter only repay notice 

 upon close investigation, but they then as amply reward 

 all labour bestowed upon them by the mental recreation 

 they yield, as their more gaudy exotic rivals. The former 

 present themselves obtrusively and exact notice, whereas 

 ours meekly solicit it by their humble but solid allure- 

 ments. Here, as well as there, we behold the works of 

 a mighty hand and of an immeasurable intelligence. 



The bees throughout the world, as known collectively 

 to the richest cabinets, number about two thousand 

 species. This host, in itself numerically so large, solicits 



