2G8 
BRITISH BEES. 
entomologist Nylander supposes lie lias found one in tlie 
plates of the apical segment of the abdomen, especially 
those of the venter, in which he detects both a differ¬ 
ence of form and a difference of relative length to that 
of the superior plates, and in the males he assumes that 
the teeth of the apical segment are constant characters. 
Not having had sufficient opportunity since this sup¬ 
posed discovery w r as made, for the examination of a 
great multitude of specimens, for it is only upon such 
an investigation that it can be firmly based, I cannot 
speak corroboratively upon the point, but it is very pos¬ 
sibly a correct solution of the difficulty. 
The peculiarity of these spines at the apical segments 
of the abdomen of the males is remarkable, they being 
straight projecting processes, or they have even a slight 
upward bearing. In the males of Anthidium and Osmia 
we observe spines also arming the apex of the last seg¬ 
ment, but in these we can trace an evident use, both 
from the downward curvature of the abdomen itself, and 
that same tendency also in the spines. But in the in¬ 
sects of this genus they have not the same conspicuously 
apparent object, the abdomen itself even having an up¬ 
ward curvature, or rather a greater facility for turning 
upwards than downwards. These insects appear to be 
most abundant in the midland and southern counties, 
and, according to Curtis, they are numerously found at 
the back of the Isle of Wight. I have usually taken 
them on the w r ing and never on a flower, and I do not 
know the plants which they may prefer. 
