244 
BRITISH BEES. 
section as to the genus itself, crdpos, brush, 7 rou? 7roSo?, 
a foot, in allusion to their polliniferous posterior legs. 
We have but one species, but it is very characteristic; 
for, although retaining several of the features of the 
second division of Anthophora (in the colouring of the 
face it participates with the males of both divisions), 
yet has it still a marked physiognomy of its own; it 
retains the normal colouring of bees generally, but its 
strongest distinction from that division of Anthophora 
is the shortness of the antennae in the female, as in the 
length of the intermediate legs of the male it would 
seem to form a link between the two divisions, could a 
distinct genus stand in such a position, and would al¬ 
most import the necessity of elevating that division to 
generic rank, as hinted at in the observations under 
Anthophora. In the large development of its clawe it 
seems to point to an economy somewhat differing from 
that second division, but nobody appears to have traced 
it to its nidus. I have often captured it at Battersea 
upon the Mallow, together with A. quadrimaculata, but 
the singular velocity of its flight might indicate a very 
distant domicile,—in a few minutes it could traverse 
miles. The electrical vivacity and rich opaline tint of 
its eyes has been often observed, but this, unfortunately, 
fades with death ; yet so marked is it that it has called 
forth the distinct observation of a Panzer and a Kirby. 
Besides the Mallow it has been observed to frequent the 
Heaths, and were its habits better known would be found, 
I have no doubt, to visit many other flowers, for Curtis 
took it in the Isle of Wight sleeping in the great Knap¬ 
weed, Centaurea scabiosa. I have never caught it laden. 
I have hazarded the conjecture in a different part of 
this work that the music of the bees might be attuned 
