SPHECODES. 
199 
of sandbanks exposed to the sun, and nine or ten inches 
deep, and which they smooth with their tongues. But 
then, in impeachment of the accuracy of his observation, 
he further supposes there are three sexes, founding his 
statement upon what lleaumur remarks of having ob¬ 
served pupm of three different sizes in the burrows. In 
the first place, it is not conclusive that these pupse were 
those of Sphecodes, and secondly we know that this con¬ 
dition of three sexes is found only in the social tribes, 
wherein the peculiarities of the economy exact a division 
of offices. Therefore his adoption of this inaccuracy 
militates against the reception of his other statement. 
But Smith also states that they are not parasites, and 
apparently founds his assertion upon direct observation. 
It still, however, remains a debatable point, from the 
fact of the destitution of pollinigerous brushes, and 
thence the character of the food necessary to be stored 
«/ 
for the larva. It would be very satisfactory if these 
apparent inconsistencies could be lucidly explained. 
If, however, it be ultimately proved that Sphecodes is 
a constructive bee, as well as Prosopis, we have then 
this fact exhibited by our native genera, that none of the 
subfamily of our short-tongued bees, or Andrenidee, are 
parasitical. This is a remarkable peculiarity, as it is 
amongst them that we should almost exclusively expect 
to find that distinguishing economy, from the seemingly 
imperfect apparatus furnished in the short structure of 
their tongues. It is possible, however, that nature has 
so moulded them as to fit them chiefly for fulfilling its 
objects within merely a certain range of the floral reign, 
and which restricts them to visiting flowers which do 
not require the protrusion of a long organ to rifle their 
sweet stores. 
