OF WASHINGTON. 63 



specimen herewith exhibited, which I took from a hive in Syria. 

 This they usually glue fast to the bottom of the hive. 



The bees of Oriental and North African countries when lo 

 cated in hives having large flight-holes, especially if the latter 

 are somewhat circular in outline, build from the upper inner 

 edges of the orifice a descending apron, composed of propolis 

 and beeswax, which nearly closes the entrance ; sometimes these 

 are multiplied and overlap somewhat loosely, making passages 

 rather labyrinthine in character; or, again, when the entrance is 

 wide but onjy half to three-fourths of an inch high numerous 

 pillars or portions of a solid wall reach from the top of the 

 entrance to the bottom-board, rendering it more difficult or im 

 possible for enemies, especially large-bodied ones, to force their 

 way in. 



Though I have found the remnants of as many as four Death's- 

 Head Moths in one old hive, still I do not consider it a serious 

 pest even where it is most plentiful. I cannot see why it would 

 not thrive and multiply should it be accidentally introduced 

 here, since climatic conditions are not unfavorable for it and its 

 food-plants are abundant. 



The remedy which the apiarist should adopt against this moth 

 in localities where it is abundant is very simple and naturally 

 suggests itself to one who considers its mode of attack. It is 

 merely to make the entrance to the hive as low as possible with 

 out interfering with the ingress and egress of the bees that is. 7 

 to 8 mm. or about ^ of an inch. This will at the same time 

 keep out many of the marauding VespidaB, mice, snails, etc., and 

 lessen the chances for the wax- moth to get in. The Death's- 

 Head Moth will then do no more harm than to create a dis 

 turbance now and then at the hive entrance, and kill a few 

 workers by the fluttering of its wings when it ventures near 

 enough to be assailed by the bees. 



The paper was discussed by Messrs. Stiles, Schwarz, Riley, 

 Gill, Chittenden, Marx, and Howard. Dr. Stiles criticised the 

 popular name of " Death's-Heacl Moth" since, in his opinion, 

 the thoracic makings have no resemblance to a skull. Prof. 

 Riley stated that in some specimens the resemblance to a skull is 

 quite marked, but that the form of the markings varies con 

 siderably in different individuals. Mr. Schwarz expressed some 

 surprise at. the activity of the bees during the evening, when this 

 moth flies, but was informed by Messrs. Benton and Riley that 

 during warm weather the bees are very active at night. Prof. 



