1925] Wing Veins of Bees as Strengthening Elements 
41 
wanting on one side. In another case, Holonomada placida, 
they are wanting on both sides. 
Veins increased. — In 3 cases the second cubital cell is divided 
by a vein which appears as a continuation of the 1st recurrent. 
In another case the upper part of the 3d cubital cell is separated 
from the lower by a cross vein. So that veins are increased in 4 
cases and obliterated in 291. 
Enfeeblement of veins. — Instead of proving that the need of 
strong veins is not great, the reduction in the stingless bees seems 
to be so unusual as to require an explanation. Comparing with 
related bees like Bomhus, Xylocopa and Eulema would establish 
a presumption that the reduction is related to the smaller size. 
The loss of strength comes from a fading out, instead of an ob- 
literation, of the veins. In Curtisapis, the third cubital nervure 
is enfeebled, while in almost all smaller Halictidse 2 and 3, and 
the second recurrent, are weaker. In the small Perditella boltonice 
the second recurrent vein is almost obsolete. Enfeeblement is 
pretty regularly correlated with reduction in size. 
I have seen bees unable to fly on account of the outer mar- 
gins being broken. The strength of the nervures may determine 
how long the wings can be used. Individuals of Meliponidae 
may be short-lived. Inquilines have a shorter flight than their 
hosts, make no nests and have less need for strong wings. They 
are the almost exclusive long-tongued bees which show anoma- 
lous reductions in the venation. In Australia the hive-bee is said 
to be driving out the native honey-bee. The stronger wings of 
Apis may have something to do with this. 
Literature cited. 
1. Lutz, F. E. 1924. Apparently non-selective characters and 
combinations of characters. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 29: 
181-232. 
2. Robertson, C. 1910. Hosts of Strepsiptera. Can. Ent. 42: 
323-30. 
