536 
ZOOLOGICAL LITERATURE. 
'by the structure of the posterior legs forming a passage towards 
the Anthophorites . The generic characters are described at 
great length and illustrated with figures of the details (/. c. 
pp. 333-338, pi. 9. figs. 1-3). The author points out an error 
into which King has fallen in describing the labial palpi as 3- 
jointed and sessile, whereas these organs have four joints, of 
which the first is very long. Of known species Sichel describes 
and figures Oxcea flavescens (King) = Centris chlorogastci' $ 
and aquilina 6 (IH )^ p. 338, pi. 9. fig. 5, and Oxaui f estiva 
(Smith), 1. c. 342. 
The nest of Megachile poeyi (Gu^r.) is formed of cuttings of leaves, 
under stones.” It is attacked by Leiicaspis poeyi (Gu^r.). Cresson, Proc. 
Ent. Soc. Phil. vol. iv. p. 177. Cresson also furnishes brief notes on the 
habits of Ccelioxys rufipes (Guer.), 1. c. p. 186, and Melissa rufipes (Perty), 
1. G. p. 188 j and on the synonymy of Xylocopa morio (Fab.), 1. c. p. 190. 
Cresson describes Agapostemon poeyi (Luc.) and a variety of A. femoralis 
(Gu^r.). Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil. vol. iv. pp. 171 tSc 173. 
Bomhus montanus (St. Farg.). Sichel has published (Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon, 
xi. pp. 421-443) an elaborate monograph of a supposed species of Bomhus, to 
which he applies the above name and refers, as varieties, a great number of 
species of other authors. The typical form, according to Sichel =? B. nivalis 
(Dahlb.) and B. trifasciatus (Smith) ; and the following are referred to as 
varieties and subvarieties : — ? 1?. tricolor (Dahlb.), B. halteatus (Dahlb.), 
B. tunicatus (Smith), B. vidims (Erichs.), B. sichelii (Radochk.), and B. 
caucasicus (Radochk.). Under var. 4, subvar. o, Sichel describes a B. fair- 
mairii as probably a new species (1. c. p. 441), a course the adoption of which 
is hardly justifiable. The whole of Sichel’s conclusions as to this sweeping 
suppression of supposed species are open to considerable doubt, as he adduces 
no structural characters whatever in support of his views. Smith, in a letter 
quoted by the author (p. 443), states that, after examining specimens of two 
so-called varieties sent to him, he is of opinion that they belong to a species 
distinct from B, montanus (St. Farg.), and which may be B. halteatus 
(Dahlb.). llis B. trifasciatus has a much longer head. 
Smith (Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 3rd ser. vol. xv. pp. 372-380) 
discusses the question raised by GerstaCker as to the number of 
known species of Honey-Bees. He agrees with Gerstacker as^ 
to the necessity of a considerable reduction in their number, 
but differs from him as to the extent to whieh this should be 
carried. Gerstacker appears to have had only workers of 
most of the forms of these Bees; and Smith justly maintains 
that in these, as in several other genera of Apidce, it is neces- 
sary to have all the sexes, or at events males and females or 
workers, in order that the specific characters may be ascertained. 
By following this mode of investigation Smith reduces the 
number of species recognized by him from 20 to 7 (or 8, in- 
cluding a drone described by him with doubt as a new species) . 
The characters of these and their varieties are discussed by 
