partial attacks of single wasps, however, are of little moment, farther than that they are, perhaps, exploratory; it is when they come in a body that the safety of a hive is endangered; in such cases the utmost care of the bee-master is often unavailing. The wily insects soon discover the weakness of any particular hive in point of population, and, acting on this discovery, attack it in such numbers, that nothing but its removal can save it from speedy and utter destruction.
Bad as wasps are, the Bees themselves are the worst enemies to their own species. In a backward spring, or toward the end of autumn, when the population begins to be scanty, some bees may be observed lounging about the apiary, as if conscious that there was no present scope for the exercise of honest industry, and, like other idlers, seem ripe for any mischief. A single bee may be seen peering into the entrances of several hives, as if to ascertain the strength of the population, or the vigilance of the guards; and on finding access from a deficiency in either of these particulars, proceeds to carry off its load from the store-cells. After frequently repeating these domiciliary visits, it returns at last with several of its companions, their numbers increasing at every visit, till the hive becomes a scene of pillage and slaughter. Their first endeavours are, it is said, to find out and kill the Queen; and after this catastrophe, the rightful owners seem to lose all interest in their property, and associating at last with the robbers, join in the plunder of their own stores.[1]
- ↑ Old Butler, in his "Feminine Monarchie," published at
