414 
Observations on the various Insects 
contained no honey, and that the wounded ones continue to secrete 
the nectar after they have been tapped. 
The Humble-bees form one of the finest groups of British 
bees, whether we consider their size or the rich contrast of colour 
they exhibit ; and from the genus containing nearly 40 species,* 
each composed of males, females, and neuters, there is great 
variety amongst them, and their specific distinctions are often 
complicated. We need however only regard two species, which 
were detected in the act of robbing the Beans as we have stated, 
namely, Bombus terrestris and B. Incorum. 
All Bees belong to an Order called Hymenoptera, forming 
the Family Apid^ and the Genus Bombus; the first species 
was named by Linnaeus. 
3. B, tenestris, tlie Earth-bee (fig. 18). The females and workers, 
which are the most abundant, are only to be distinguished by their size, 
the former being much the larger, sometimes measuring an inch and 
three-quarters when the wings are expanded; they are densely clothed 
with the finest hairs of the deepest black, with 3 bright ochreous bands; 
the head is short, black, and punctured, the face is oval, the nose bare, 
with a broud notched labrum, beneath which are 2 strong mandibles 
which cross in repose, rounded, and more or less notched internally 
towards the apex (fig. 19, Z Z) ; below these is concealed the proboscis 
(fig. 19) composed of 2 strong horny pointed valves called the lobes of 
the maxillse (fig. »«)> which have minute palpi at the base; between 
these is placed an elongated chin, which enables the bee to contract or 
lengthen the tongue (fi?f. o), which is long, linear, and rough at the 
apex, to absorb the honey ; on either side is a very long palpus or 
feeler, attached to short joints called scapes ; the next joint is very long, 
producing an elongated acute joint, to the apex of which is attached 
a slender portion, divided into two joints (fig. n) ; f the eyes arc large, 
long, and vertical; 3 ocelli, or little eyes, form a transverse line on the 
crown ; and below them at the middle of the face are inserted 2 antennje, 
which are longer than the head, dull black, thread-shaped, and 12- 
jointed; the basal joint is the longest, and forms an angle wiih the 
remainder, the 2nd is minute, 3rd longer, the following short, the apex 
rounded and wedge-shaped : the thorax is sub-globose, with a broad 
ochreous band in front; scutel large, transverse, semi-ovate : abdomen 
very large, oval, convex, the 2nd segment and 2 or 3 of the apical ones 
deep ochreous : wings 4, tinged with yellowish brown, the nervures 
pitchy; superior ample, with a long marginal, 3 submarginal, and 3 
large discoidal cells ; inferior wings much smaller : logs 6, very strong, 
liinder the largest ; shanks, anterior short, convex externally, as well 
as the intermediate, each with a spine at the apex, hinder compressed, 
very shining outside, greatly dilated, the edges ciliated, the interior 
angle with 2 spines; feet long and brown, basal joint very large, 
* ('urtis's Guide, Genus 723. 
•I- Ample dissections of the various organs will be found in Curtis"s 
Brit. Ent., pi. 5G4. 
