Note 300 — LETTER XXI.
Reading edition
Dr. Fleming however, in Literis, doubts whether the reason here assigned is the cause of the resemblance between the Bombus and Volucella; he thinks if a bee knows a stranger of its own species, it could not be deceived by a fly in the disguise of a bee. But the fact that these insects lay their eggs in their nests, and that they resemble humble-bees, seems to justify the conclusion drawn in the text. They must get in often undiscovered.