Definition of "humble-bees" [humble-bees]

• Plural form of humble-bee. (noun)

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• "Now, the number of mice is largely dependent on the number of cats; and Mr. Newman says, 'Near villages and small towns I have found nests of humble-bees more numerous than anywhere elsewhere, which Iattribute to the number of cats thatdestroy the mice.'"
• "Hence I have very little doubt, that if the whole genus of humble-bees became extinct or very rare in England, the heartsense and red clover would become very rare, or wholly disappear."
• "From experiments which I have lately tried, I have found that the visits of bees are necessary for the fertilisation of some kinds of clover; but humble-bees alone visit the red clover (Trifolium pratense), as other bees cannot reach the nectar."