Descriptions of some Longicorn Beetles. 1 13 broad central greenish-yellow wavy band, and having a greenish-yt'llovv spot on the apex and shoulder of each elytron partly covered with fine erect distinct black hairs. Under side of body greenish yellow, pubescent. Legs blacks with greenish yellow undersides to femora and tibiae. Tarsi greenish yellow above. Habitat North of China. In the collection of the British Museum. This pretty species varies considerably in the nature of its markings, being sometimes without the yellow green spots near the shoulder, and sometimes with the spots produced into a narrow transverse wavy band. XVII. Notes on the Habits of Various Insects. By Mr. William Varney. [Read 2nd August, 1852.] Sting of Bee. — Huber says, that " the sting by which this little animal defends itself is composed of three parts, the sheath and two darts. The sheath, which has a sharp point, makes the first impression. The sheath sometimes sticks so fast to the wound, that the insect is obliged to leave it behind ; and to the bee itself the mutilation proves fatal." The sheath, however, makes no impression, and I have never found it to enter or make a wound ; it is large near the base, and gradually tapers to a point, and is quite smooth, and if it did make an incision the bee would be able to draw it back again without hurting itself. The barbs which do the mischief are very sharp ; and when they penetrate, they hold fast to the wound like a fish-hook, and the bee is mostly unable to draw ihem out of the wound, always leaving the darts with the sheath ; and it seems impossible to leave the sheath behind without the darts, as they are all rooted firmly together. I know not whether, when thus mutilated, they die, or whether they are killed or driven away by the other bees. Moss-carder Humble Bees. — Respecting the humble bee, Reaumur says, that " the community, which numbers from 20 to 300, consists of females of two sizes — the very largest and the small ones ; males, which are stingless ; and neuters. It is VOL. II. N. S. PART IV. MARCH, 1853. I
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