332 



Enemies of Bees — Shrews. 



SHEEWS. 



These are mole-like animals, and look not unlike a mouse 

 with a long pointed nose like the moles, to which they are 

 closely related. They are insectivorous and have needle 

 shaped teeth, quite unlike those of the Rodentia which in- 

 cludes the true mice. I have received from Illinois and Mis- 

 souri species of the short-tailed shrews — Blarina — which enter 

 the hives in winter and eat the bees, only refusing the head 

 and wings. They injure the combs but little. As they 

 will pass through a space three-eighths of an inch wide, it is 

 not easy to keep them out of hives where the bees are winter- 

 ed on their summer stands. I have received a short-tailed 

 shrew, 'Blarina bremoaida-. Gray, which was taken in the hives 

 by Mr. Little, of Illinois. 



CALIFOENIA. BEE KILLER, 



Mr. J. D. Enas, Napa, California, has sent me specimens of 

 a curious bee enemy (Fig. 193) which he finds quite a serious 

 enemy of bees. 



This is a Datames, possibly D. Californicus, Simon, though 

 Fig. 193. it does not quite agree 



with the description of 

 that species.' It belongs 

 to the sub-class Arachnida 

 or Spiders, and is related 

 to the scorpions. The 

 group of animals are 

 known as the Family 

 Solpulgidse or Galeodides. 

 As will be seen the head, 

 thorax, and abdomen are 

 separate, as in true insects. 

 The abdomen is long and 

 segmented, a shield-like 

 plate covers the head, and 

 and globular. The most 

 peculiar organs are the jaws or falces, which are immense, and 

 armed with formidable teeth, spines, hairs, etc. The family is 

 small, little known, and except in one case, Datames Pallipes 

 Say, which is said to live in houses in Colorado and to feed on 

 bed-bugs, the habits have not been described. 



California Bee Killer Insect. 

 (Jaws or falces, and posterior leg.) 



the eyes- are far forward, small. 



