Insects. 2215 



Halictus quadricincta. Mr. Dale sent to me a specimen for ex- 

 amination of the female of this species, captured in the Isle of Port- 

 land, in August, 1828, since which time he has not met with it. 



With the present I conclude my papers on the British bees ; and 

 although I am aware that a much more perfect work might be pro- 

 duced, still I cannot but think that if every entomologist who devotes 

 some years to the study of any particular group, were to give — in the 

 best manner he is able — the result of his investigations, he must con- 

 fer some benefit to the science ; additional information must be im- 

 parted, and in many cases important additions made to the various 

 genera treated upon. 



The result of my own labours will prove to be little more than a 

 record of my own observations, and it may hereafter become the office 

 of some Hymenopterist to work out, in a more complete and scientific 

 form, the monograph of our indigenous bees ; but in such a case he 

 may probably find some of the materials which I have collected useful 

 in raising his superstructure. 



To those who have not the opportunity of examining the original 

 specimens from which Mr. Kirby drew the descriptions for his ' Mo- 

 nographia Apum Anglise,' the observations which I have made upon 

 them will, I think, prove useful. I am not aware that I have omitted 

 anything of importance in the descriptions, which is to be found in 

 Mr. Kirby's ; but I have, in many instances, added such additional 

 particulars as the result of my own investigations appeared to prove 

 to be necessary, and frequently whereby a species may at once be 

 discriminated from its congeners. The marked differences in species, 

 when pointed out, independently of the detailed description, is, in my 

 opinion, always desirable, as it requires great practice in working out 

 species before these distinctive characters at once present themselves 

 to the student in Entomology. 



I have described forty-eight species either new to the British list or 

 not previously to be found in any English work : one or two probably 

 which are included in the Appendix may not prove to be indigenous, 

 but as I find them in collections, they are described, in order that they 

 may be recognized if captured again. 



In conclusion, I beg to acknowledge the obligations I am under to 

 those gentlemen who have so kindly and liberally rendered me the 

 most valuable assistance, not only by allowing me a ready access to 



