( 93 ) V. The Aculeate Hymenoptera of Barrackpore, Bengal. By George Alexander James Rothney, F.E.S. [Read March 4th, 1903.] As it is a somewhat uncommon feature for a definite limited area within the tropics to be worked continuously for a number of years, I have ventured to hope that a thoroughly re^Dresentative list of the Aculeate Hyriie7ioptera collected by me inthecantonment of Barrackpore may prove of some interest to the Society, as this order has of late become so much more popular, and the Indian and Far Eastern fauna in particular has attracted an unusual amount of attention. My list represents the result of steady collecting from 1872 to 188G, and a flying visit in 1893. " Barrackpore, Bengal, is situated on the east bank of the Hooghly; lat. 22' 40' 80", long. 88' 22' 45" and 88' 30'. Area, forty-two square miles, and about sixteen miles north of Calcutta. It is practically contained within a bend of the river, and includes Monirampore, Pulta, Isclia-pur Park, Tittaghur, Neilgunge, but above all the beautiful Barrackpore Park, one of the most charming spots in Lower Bengal, and one which offers many attractions to the entomologist. There are practically three seasons in the year — the "cold weather" lasting from the end of October to the beoinninof of March, the " hot weather " from the middle of March to the middle of June, when the " rains ' set m and last till October. Very few Hymenoptera (except ants) are about in the cold season. The hot and rainy seasons are the best for the collector, and the choicest time of all, a bright little interval in October, just as the rains are clearing up, and before the mornings and evenings show siofns of the comino; cold weather. The sun then shines out with beautiful brightness but without the severity of the hot weather, vegetation is unsoiled by dust, and there is everywhere a splendid burst and buzz of insect life. The most attractive spots for collecting are undoubtedly Barrackpore Park and the jungly ground round the Pulta powder magazine, for curiously, Ischapur Park and Sam-nagar (with its extensive earthworks, the ruins of an old TRANS. ENT. SOC. LOND. 1903. — PART I. ( APRIL)
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