RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1861.11.22. Mr Bates showed me the 2 Volucellas. CUL-DAR205.10.90. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 5.2023. RN1
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR205.10 contains notes on variation and varieties. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin.
See Bates' letters here CUL-DAR205.10.92 & here CUL-DAR205.10.93.
[90]
Nov. 22d. 1861. Mr Bates showed me the 2 Volucellas like B. hortensis & lapidarius.— in B. Mus they are marked as distant species; but Erichson says they blend together on continent, though distinct in England— F. Smith has bred them here one form here & has not seen variation— In Amazonia there is one jet-black H. Bees & one parasitic Bee, not Apathic same region also jet black. In England some Apathic very like the Humbles they frequent— other parasitic Bees not like.— but then close resemblance not necessary, for strange Humble-bees will take up residence occasionally with distinct species.— F. Smith showed me a brownish Volucella always parasitic in Brown Humble-bees nests:— The volucella very good case in all ways.— I saw the mimetic Butterflies wonderful. wonderful—
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 24 July, 2023