SCIENTIFIC CULTIVATION OF BRITISH BEES. 151 



affinity to the ApidcB, exclusively of that presented by 

 the folding of the tongue in repose, in its presenting 

 immediately the large development of the labial palpi 

 which is peculiarly characteristic of this subfamily. 



All the cuckoo-^bees then follow in order; these are 

 succeeded by the true Basygasters ; after which come 

 Latreille's Scopulipedes ; and the series is wound up by 

 Apis and Bombus. 



Mr. Kirby, I suppose, was induced to associate in the 

 same section Panurgus and Nomada, from their resem- 

 blance in general habit, which in both conforms to the 

 type predominant in the Andrenidm, although they are 

 thence dislocated by the differences in the important 

 organs of the mouth, which verify in this case the seem- 

 ing paradox of a part being greater than the whole ; for 

 these are certainly of greater relative importance to the 

 economy of the creature than mere general habit, and 

 to which all the peculiarities of structure finally converge, 

 for the purpose of giving it what it thence acquires, its 

 own proper and distinctive place in the series of created 

 beings. 



The most extensive work since published upon bees 

 generally, is that treating of the Hymenopiera universally, 

 written by Le Pelletier de St. Fargeau, and comprised 

 in four thick octavo volumes, contained in the ' Suites h 

 Buflfon.' In this work both the genera and species of our 

 bees occur, of course conjunctively with the rest, but its 

 utility, especially to the beginner, is materially diminished 

 by the peculiar systematic views of the author. The dis- 

 tribution of the Order is framed chiefly upon the eco- 

 nomy of the insects, which is not so tangible as structure, 

 and blends very heterogeneous forms, — widely separa- 

 ting, in some cases, structural affinities, and sometimes 



