may wish to repeat this experiment, we would recommend that they previously deprive the bee under operation of a portion of its sting, which may be easily done by forcing the insect to extrude it, and then snipping it off about the middle with a pair of scissors; the excision will not vitally injure the insect, and will give confidence to the experimenter.
We cannot conclude this disquisition on the sense of smell in Bees, without gratifying our readers by extracting from Dr. Bevan's work, a remarkable instance of its acuteness and delicacy; and which had been communicated to him, by the son of the gentleman who is the subject of it. It is generally believed that bees have an antipathy to particular individuals, arising, probably from some peculiar odour about them, which, though not discernible by, or unpleasant to man, may be so to this sensitive insect. "M. de Hofer, Conseilleur d' Etat du Grand Duc de Baden, had for years been a proprietor and admirer of Bees, and rivalled Wildman, in the power he possessed of approaching them with impunity. He would at any time search for the queen, and taking hold of her gently, place her on his hand. But he was unfortunately attacked with a violent fever, and long confined by it. On his recovery, he attempted to resume his favourite amusement among the Bees, returning to them with all that confidence and pleasure which he had felt on former occasions; when, to his great surprise and disappointment, he discovered that he was no longer in possession of their favour; and that instead of being received by them as an old
