

HYMENOPTERA-ACULEATA. 417 



nest at Bamston ; another similarly near Chester, 

 R.N., ; one in a shrewmouse's nest near Man- 

 chester, J.R.H. 



B. hortorum, Linn. — Common and generally distributed. 



B. var. subterraneus, Auct., nee Thorns. — This dark 

 variety is frequent in our district, R.N. and B.C. 



B. var. Harrisellus, Kirb. — This black variety also occurs 

 here and there, as at West Kirby, J.T.Gr., Chester, 

 E.C.T., Aldford, R.N., Mottram, Broad Bottom, 

 and Chat Moss, J.R.H. Both the dark and 

 black forms of hortorum have been observed to 

 be on the increase locally during recent years, as 

 has also been noted in the case of many of our 

 Lepidoptera, 



B. Latreillellus, Kirb. — subterraneus, Thorns. — Only 

 noted as yet from banks of the Mersey at Stret- 

 ford, J.E.H. 



B. var. distinguendus, Mor. — elegans, Sm., nee Seidl. — 

 fragrans, Auct., nee Pall. — This handsome 

 variety has been taken at Lindow Common and 

 on Chat Moss, J.R.H. ; also at Delamere, E.C.T. 



B. sylvarum, Linn. — Widespread over the district. 



B. Derhamellus, Kirb. — Rajellus, Kirb., Thorns. — Not 

 infrequent, as at Heswall and West Kirby ; 

 Chester district, E.C.T. ; and probably overlooked 

 elsewhere. The writer once captured one of 

 these bees with no less than seven of the curious 

 anthers of Orchis mascula attached to Hs face, for 

 the cross-fertilization of the flower, in the manner 

 so graphically described by Darwin in his 

 " Fertilization of Orchids." 



B. lajndarius, Linn. — Abundant everywhere. " Males 

 specially partial to purple iris, females to 

 lavender, and workers to clover," E.C.T. 



