In southern Europe, notably in Italy, a much brighter-coloured and finer insect is found, distinguished especially by having yellow transverse bands on the abdomen. This bee was long supposed to be a distinct species, and was described under the name of _Apis ligustica_, but it is now regarded as merely a variety. This bee has been introduced into all the northern parts of Europe. [Illustration: Fig. 10.--Apis Mellifica (Worker).] Several species of Humble Bees are very common in this country. One of the best known is the _Bombus terrestris_, the large females of which may attain a length of nearly an inch. This is a large black insect with the extremity yellow. [Illustration: Fig. 11.--Melipona Anthidioides (Mag.)] In another rather smaller species, _Bombus lucorum_, the extremity of the abdomen is white. Both these species are subterranean bees, forming their nests in banks, etc. Of the moss-builders, the best known, perhaps, is the _Bombus muscorum_, the largest specimens of which measure about two-thirds of an inch long. Another species, _Bombus lapidarius_, is so called from a preference it shows for making its nests under stones. The end of the abdomen of this bee is bright orange-red. [Illustration: Fig. 12.--Bombus Pratorum.] Of the solitary bees a very common black species is _Anthophora acervorum_, which is usually found in abundance in the spring in the neighbourhood of banks and cliffs. The violet Carpenter Bee (_Xylocopa violacea_), which chiefly inhabits the south of Europe, is a very pretty insect with violet-coloured wings. [Illustration: Fig. 13.--Xylocopa Violacea.] The Mason Bee (_Chalicodoma muraria_) builds its nest, composed of fine grains of sand, very firmly united by a salivary secretion, upon the surface of walls and similar situations. This species has hitherto not been met with in this country. The Horned Bee (_Osmia bicornis_) is remarkable for the female having two little horns projecting from the front of her head. This insect usually burrows in sandy banks and cliffs. Another allied species (_Osmia hirta_) burrows in wood, whilst two others (_Osmia bicolor_ and _aurulenta_) select ready-made nests in the shells of the common snails (_Helix hortensis_ and _H. nemoralis_), within the whorls of which they build their cells of gnawed vegetable material. [Illustration: Fig. 14.--Ctenioschelus Latreillii.] The Leaf-cutting Bees, which belong to the genus _Megachile_, are also very interesting in their habits. [Illustration: Fig. 15.--Osmia Tunensis.] [Illustration: Fig. 16.--Andrena Collaris.] _Family 2, Andrenidæ._--All the insects belonging to this family are solitary in their habits. The species are very numerous in this country. Many of them burrow in the ground, while others have been observed to make their nests in bramble stick. They are usually smooth, black insects, very unlike bees in appearance. The females have no apparatus for carrying pollen either on the legs or on the abdomen.