CH. IV.J THE HIVE BEE. 73 



swarming. Huber has conjectured that the imme- 

 diate cause of it lies in the great rise of temperature 

 occasioned in the hive by the commotion of the 

 workers. This heat amounts to 104°. It is 

 usually in spring from 90° to 97°. Perhaps the 

 conjecture is well-founded ; but this agitation occurs, 

 independently of swarming, from the loss of the 

 queen, and yet the bees do not think of quitting their 

 habitation. 



So many* faculties having been given to bees, 

 enabling them to provide for their wants, it is not 

 likely that they should have been left without the 

 means of defending the possession of whatever is 

 necessary for them. 



The sting by which this little animal defends it- 

 self and its property from its natural enemies, is com- 

 posed of three parts: the sheath and two darts, 

 which are extremely small and penetrating. Both 

 the darts are furnished with small points or barbs, 

 like that of a fish-hook, which, by causing the wound 

 inflicted by the sting to rankle, renders it more pain- 

 ful. Still the effect of the sting itself would be but 

 slight, if the insect w T ere not provided with a supply 

 of poisonous matter, which it injects into the wound. 

 The sheath, which has a sharp point, makes the 

 first impression; this is followed by that of the darts, 

 and then the venomous liquor is poured in. The 

 sheath sometimes sticks so fast to the wound, that 

 the insect is obliged to leave it behind ; this consi- 

 derably augments the inflammation of the wound, 

 and to the bee itself the mutilation proves fatal. 

 Were it not for the protection of its sting, the bee 

 would have too many rivals in sharing the produce 

 of its labours. A hundred lazy animals, fond of 

 honey and hating labour, would intrude upon the 

 sweets of the hive ; and for want of armed guar- 

 dians to protect it, this treasure would become the 

 prey of worthless depredators. 



In Mungo Park's last mission to Africa, some of 

 I.— G 



