3294 Entomological Society. 



opinion confirmed by direct observation : the particulars are embodied in my notes 

 on the nest of Bombus Derhamellus, which, with permission, I will read to the Soci- 

 ety. Before doing so, however, I will make one or two remarks on other points con- 

 nected with the history of humble-bees as recorded by Mr. Newman. I cannot bring 

 myself to coincide in the opinion that males have prescribed rounds, from which they 

 never deviate, keeping in the same track ; because I have always found these, as well 

 as insects generally, influenced by the direction of the wind, the sun, and the situation 

 of such flowers as they most frequent ; and Mr. Newman's theory would tell against 

 his remark, that the males have not the organ of locality developed as in the females 

 and workers. 



" With regard to the localities of Bombus lapidarius, which Mr. Newman never 

 saw in Scotland, I made it a point to inquire of residents in that part of the kingdom. 

 From Mr. Little T received the whole of his black-and-red humble-bees captured in 

 various parts of Scotland, and all but two were B. lapidarius. 



" Mr. Newman limits the number of species of Bombus to four, considering all 

 others as mere varieties : this is certainly incorrect; T am acquainted with twenty -two 

 distinct species found in Great Britain. In differing from the author of the paper on 

 the habits of the Bombinatrices in some particulars, I should be sorry indeed if he 

 should suppose that I doubted the veracity of his statements ; so far from that, I fully 

 appreciate the value of his remarks on their general history, and also on the various 

 particulars of numbers of the different species inhabiting the same nest, their modes of 

 construction, times of appearance, &c. : but I differ from him in the conclusions which 

 he draws from his observations, and can see nothing to uphold the assertion that ' Di- 

 vine Wisdom has deprived them (the males) entirely of the power or faculty of return- 

 ing to, or finding the nest.' 



" The following notes, in connexion with the observations of Mr. W. H. S. Wal- 

 cott, will, I think, prove conclusive on that point. 



"Notes on the Nest of Bombus Derhamellus. 



" On the 2nd of August, whilst walking at the side of a wood at Hampstead, my 

 attention was attracted by a male humble-bee which was skimming over a bank. It 

 suddenly alighted and disappeared : on examining the spot where I lost sight of it, I 

 found a track of moss, about nine inches long ; this was the covered way to the nest, 

 which, together with its contents, I carefully secured for examination. The species 

 was Bombus Derhamellus. The nest was about eight inches long and six broad. At 

 this period of the year the labours of the community were over ; with the exception of 

 about half a dozen females, all the bees had quitted the cocoons ; in six cells I found 

 a small portion of honey. The total number of cocoons was 187 ; judging from the 

 differences in the sizes of these, I consider 107 as being those of workers, 44 those of 

 males, and 36 those of females. In the nest I found thirteen females (six others were 

 subsequently developed), fourteen males and two workers. The mass of comb was of 

 an irregular form, the cocoons being spun one over the other, that is to say, the fe- 

 males had spun a layer of cocoons on the top of some of those of the workers, those of 

 the males being intermixed with them. Reaumur says the pupa is placed with its 

 head downwards, and makes its way out at the bottom of the cocoon ; in my nest the 

 case was exactly the reverse. The females were all in fresh and beautiful condition, 

 Ihc mother bee, or founder, having probably perished some time previously, when the 

 process of depositing her eggs was completed. 



