PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 433 



by a strange swarm forcing their way into a hive.^ Two swarms that 

 rise at the same time sometimes fight till great numbers have been destroy- 

 ed, or one of the queens slain, when both sides cease all their enmity and 

 unite under the survivor.^ 



These apiarian battles are often fought in defence of the property of 

 the hive. Bees that are ill managed, and not properly fed, instead of 

 collecting for themselves, will now and then get a habit of pillaging from 

 their more industrious neighbors : these are called by Schirach corsair 

 bees, and by English writers robbers. They make their attack chiefly in 

 the latter end of July, and during the month of August. At first they 

 act with caution, endeavoring to enter by stealth ; and then, emboldened by 

 success, come in a body. If one of the queens be killed, the attacked 

 bees unite with the assailants, take up their abode with them, and assist in 

 plundering their late habitation.^ Schirach very gravely recommends it 

 to apiarists whose hives are attacked by these depredators, to give the 

 bees some honey mixed with brandy or wine, to increase and inflame their 

 courage, that they may more resolutely defend their property against their 

 piratical assailants.^ It is, however, to be apprehended that this method 

 of making them pot-valiant might induce them to attack their neighbors 

 as well as to defend themselves. 



Sometimes combats take place in which three or four bees attack a 

 single individual, not with a design to kill, but merely to rob : one seizes 

 it by one leg, another by another ; till perhaps there are two on each 

 side, each having hold of a leg ; or they bite its head or thorax. But as 

 soon as the poor animal that is thus hauled about and maltreated unfolds 

 its tongue, one of the assailants goes and sucks it with its own, and is 

 followed by the rest, who then let it go. These insects, however, in 

 their ordinary labors are very kind and helpful to each other ; I have 

 often seen two, at the same moment, visit the same flower, and very 

 peaceably despoil it of its treasures, without any contention for the best 

 share. 



As the poison of bees exhales a penetrating odor, M. Huber was 

 curious to observe the effect it might produce upon them. Having ex- 

 tracted with pincers the sting of a bee and its appendages impregnated 



» Philos. Trans. 18U7, 166. 



* Thorley, ibid. Comp. Mills On Bees, 63. — The following account of an apiarian battle 

 was copied from the Carlisle Patriot Newspaper : — On Saturday last, in the village of Cargo, 

 a combat of a truly novel description was witnessed. A hive of bees belonging to a pro- 

 fessional gentleman of this city swarmed on Thursday last ; after which they were hived in 

 the regular way, and appeared to be doing well. On the Saturday after, a swarm of bees, 

 from some neighboring hive, appeared to be flying over the garden in which the hive above 

 mentioned was placed, when they instantly darted down upon the hive of the new settlers, 

 and completely covered it : in a little time they bci^an to enter the hive, and poured into it 

 in such numbers that it soon became completely filled. A loud humming noise was heard, 

 and the work of destruction immediately ensued ; the winged combatants sallied forth from 

 the hive, until it became entirely empty ; and a furious battle commenced in " upper air," 

 between the beseigers and the besciged. A spectator informs us, that these intrepid little 

 warriors were so numerous, that they literally darkened the sky over-head like a cloud; 

 meanwhile the destructive battle raged with fury on both sides, and the ground beneath was 

 covered with the wounded and the slain : hundreds of them were lying dead, or crawling 

 about, disabled from reascending to the scene of action. To one party, however, the palm 

 of victory was at last awarded ; and they settled upon the branch of an adjoining apple- 

 tree, from which they were safely placed in the empty hive, which had been the object of 

 their valiant contention, and where they now continue peacefully and industriously employed 

 in adding to the stores of their commonwealth. 



3 Comp. Schirach, 49. Mills, 62. Thorley, 163. * 51. 



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