86 
[July 
which will pass the winter, benumbed by the cold, and which are des¬ 
tined to the subsequent propagation of the species in the following 
year/’ 
Thus it seems that Reaumur and Huber consider all workers, except 
the largest females, while St. Fargeau seems to think that all are females 
except the smallest, which he calls the workers. ' 
The opinion of St. Fargeau is probably the most correct, although 
there is no doubt that the workers vary in size as well as the females. 
An examination of the sexual organs, however, may show some differ¬ 
ences of structure between the two sexes. 
Our species of Bombus are quite numerous, and many of them very 
handsome. 
The following table may facilitate the determination of the species:— 
* Thorax above entirely yellowish. 
§ Abdomen yellowish and black, 
t Ayex black. 
1st segment yellow.Sp. 1—2. 
2d segment yellow.Sp. 3. 
1st and 2d segments yellow.Sp. 4. 
1st, 2d and 3d segments yellow.Sp. 5. 
Mixed with black and yellow.Sp. 6. 
It Apex yellowish or whitish. 
First 3 segments yellow.Sp. 7. 
§§ Abdomen entirely yellowish-white in certain lights. Sp. 8. 
Thorax above yellowish, banded with black. 
§ Abdomen whitish or yellowish and black. 
I Apex black. 
First 5 segments yellow..-.Sp. 9. 
4 ...Sp. 10—ii: 
3 “ .Sp. li—13. '1/ 
“ 2 ‘‘ Sp. 14—16. 
Third segment yellowish.Sp. 17. 
Fourth “ Sp. 18—19. 
ft Apex white or yellowish-white. 
First 3 segments black, remainder white...Sp. 20. 
1st, 2d and 4th segments black.Sp. 21. 
1st, 3d and 4th “ Sp. 22. 
1st, 4th and 5th “ “ Sp. 23. 
1st and 4th •• Sp. 24. 
