THE HUMBLE-BEE IN NEW ZEALAND. 23 



FlCOlDEiE. 



Mesembryanthemum sj). A brilliant crimson-flowered species 

 appears to be very attractive. 



Umbellifeiue. 



Parsley (Petroselinum sativum) is the only umbelliferous 

 plant said to be visited by bumble-bees. I have not seen 

 them on it myself, but am informed by a correspondent at 

 Waitepeka, that they abound on it in his garden. 



Capkifoliace^e 



Laurustinus {Viburnum tinus) and Honeysuckle {Lonicera 

 sp.) are very much frequented. The common honeysuckle 

 (L. perielymenum) has a very long tube, and in Europe is 

 only fertilised by hawk-moths. It will be remarkable if 

 Bombus terrestris is able to get the nectar from it without 

 puncturing the corolla. 



Dipsacace^:. 



Scabious (Scabiosa atropurpurea), especially the dark- 

 coloured varieties are especial favourites of the humble- 

 bees. 



Composite. 



in all this enormous order, which is so abundantly represented 

 both in the garden and the field, I have only observed the bees on 

 nine species of flowers, none of which, however, were white. 



Sunflower (Helianthus), frequently visited. 

 Dahlia, single yellow and red flowers of this genus are 

 great favourites. A correspondent in Christchurch says : — 

 " On these I have often noticed that the bees appear to be 

 more or less stupefied, remaining on the flower in the same 

 position for an hour or so, and then falling to the ground 

 and buzzing about in a helpless manner when disturbed." 

 I have never observed this in my own garden where the 

 dahlias are abundant, and are much visited by the bees. 

 Gaillardia and hybrid Marigolds {Calendula) are often 

 visited. 



Thistle {Garduus lanceolatus). This flower, especially in 

 North Otago, affords food to myriads of bees. An observer, 

 long resident near Otepopo, informs me that the difficulty 

 of getting through a piece of country infested with thistles, 

 has of late years been enormously increased, for timid per- 

 sons, by the swarms of humble-bees which are to be found 

 among the flowers. 



A Christchurch observer considers that they become intoxicated 

 by the nectar of the thistle-flowers ; this has not been verified. 



Globe Artichoke {Cynara). These plants when in flower in 

 my garden are frequently visited. Another great favourite 

 is the Blue Corn-flower or Cornbottle {Gentaurea cyanus). 



