1892] ■ TTHE BRITISH NATURALIST. 208 



British species ; it forms large colonies in banks and sandy cliffs ; it 

 has not been recorded in our neighbourhood. 



Leaving the ''^ solitary'' geneva, lue now come to the '■'■social'' bees, 

 which live in communities, comprising male, female and neuter. 



BOMBUS. 



This genus embraces the well-known Humble Bees. They 

 construct nests of moss, grass, &c., in which large numbers live; some 

 species, such as B. terrestris, lapidavius and hortonim make use of ready- 

 made cavities under ground; others, as B. muscorum, cognatus, 

 Sylvarum and pratorum build elaborate nests above the surface. 

 BoMBUs, Latr. 



cognatus, Steph.-— senilis, Sm. — vennstiis, Sm. — Warrington B.C. ; 

 Higher Bebington, J.T.G.; on Hyacinth at Hooton, R.N.; and 

 at Baruston, W.G. 

 muscorum, Linn. — agronun, Schmied, Thoms. — Very common 



and generally distributed. 

 Latreillellus, Kirh. —subterraneus, Thoms. — Mersey Banks at 



Stretford, J.R.H. 

 var. distinguendus, Mor. — elegans, Sm., nec SeicU.—fragrans, 

 Auct., nec Pall. — Reported from Lindow and Cliat Moss near 

 Manchester, J.R.H. 

 hortorum, Linn. — Common and generally distributed. 

 var. subterraneus, Auct., nec Thoms. — Frequent, B.C., R.N. 

 var. Harrisellus, Kirb. — Two specimens of this black variety. 



Taken at West Kirby, J.T.G. ; and one at Chester, E.C.T. 

 pratorum. Linn. —Abundant ; partial to Campanula and Rhodo- 

 dendron, E.C.T. 

 lapponicus. Fab. — -Taken on high moors near Marsden, also at 



Staly Bridge, B.C. ; Chat Moss, J.R.H. 

 sylvarum, Linn. — Common nearly all over our district. 

 Derhamellus, Kirb. — Rajellus, Kirb., Thoms. --Eaton Hall, near 

 Chester, on purple lutestripe, E.C.T.; not uncommon in 

 neighbourhood of Chester, R.N.; Heswall on heather, W.G. 

 lapidarius. Linn. — Abundant everywhere. Males specially 

 partial to purple iris, females to lavender, and neuters to 

 clover. Workers of Vespa vulgaris observed to enter nest at 

 Bache HaU," E.C.T. 

 terrestris. Linn. — liiconini, ^m.- - virginal is. Kirb.— Coinmoii 

 everywlierc. 



(I'o he continued). 



