102 
BRITISH BEES. 
more distinguished exotic genera and species, as sup¬ 
plementary to the preceding notice of the geographical 
range of those which are indigenous with us. 
How our own species reached us is a subject which 
has at present eluded all satisfactory determination. 
For its solution we must await the further discoveries of 
geology; at present we can only attribute their advent 
here to the same causes which are common to the pro¬ 
duction of all our groups of both the animal and the vege¬ 
table kingdoms. 
Knowing how affluent tropical and subtropical countries 
are in the variety, size, and number of the forms, as well 
as in the splendour of their plants and vertebrated 
animals, we may fairly expect as gorgeous a richness in 
the insects they produce. Nor shall we be disappointed, 
for the imperial magnificence of their Lepidoptera and 
Coleopterci guarantees an equivalent brilliancy in the 
other orders of insects, and which is fully confirmed by 
the harmonious splendour of their bees. 
They thus put forward claims to attention and must 
excite curiosity by their beauty and size, which the com¬ 
parative smallness of our own, and the usual dulness of 
their colours do not possess. The latter only repay notice 
upon close investigation, but they then as amply reward 
all labour bestowed upon them by the mental recreation 
they yield, as their more gaudy exotic rivals. The former 
present themselves obtrusively and exact notice, whereas 
solicit it by their humble but solid allure¬ 
ments. Here, as well as there, we behold the works of 
a mighty hand and of an immeasurable intelligence. 
The bees throughout the world, as known collectively 
to the richest cabinets, number about two thousand 
species. This host, in itself numerically so large, solicits 
ours meekly 
