EPEOLUS, 
261 
supporters, and the same of Melecta, Ccelioocys , and Stelis. 
These facts puzzle investigation for a reason; nor will 
the perplexity be speedily solved. All that we can sur¬ 
mise is that there must be a motive for it, for wherever 
we successfully elicit her secret from the veiled goddess, 
we invariably find the reason founded in profound wis¬ 
dom. In some cases the mystery seems devised to test 
our sagacity, but it cannot be so here, for the most pal¬ 
pable and plausible cause that would suggest itself in the 
supposition of its being for the guardianship and apprisal 
of the sitos is often contravened, as in this instance, by 
it and its parasite living in great harmony together, 
again by the desertion of its nidus by Eucera in favour 
of the parasite, although itself is a very much more power¬ 
ful insect; but in the cases of Panurgus, Halictus , and 
Andrena , they all live well reconciled to the intrusion 
of the stranger’s young, and this, without their enumera¬ 
tion, may be adopted as nearly the universal case. The 
hostility of Anthophora , previously noticed, is an almost 
insulated case of the contrary. The form of these insects 
does not promise much activity, and we accordingly find 
that they are slow, heavy, and indolent; yet they must 
be cautiously handled, for they sting acutely; but in¬ 
deed it is not well ever to handle insects whose mark¬ 
ings, as we find them in these, consist of a close nap, as 
evanescent as the down upon a plum, and of course the 
fingers carry it readily off, and disfigure the beauty of 
the little specimen. When their special habitat is not 
known they may often be found upon the blossoming 
Ragwort in the vicinity, or upon the Mouse-ear Hawk- 
weed ( Hieracium murorum ) within whose flowers they 
are frequently observed enjoying their siesta. 
