'206 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



flower, and very peaceably despoil it of its treasures, 

 without any contention for the best, share. 



As the poison of bees exhales a penetrating odour, M. 

 Huber was curious to observe the effect it might produce 

 upon them. Having extracted with pincers the sting of 

 a bee and its appendages impregnated with poison, 

 he presented it to some workers, which were settled 

 very tranquilly before the gate of their mansion. Instan- 

 taneously the little party was alarmed ; none however 

 took flight, but two or three darted upon the poisoned 

 instrument, and one angrily attacked the observer. 

 When however the poison was coagulated, they were not 

 in the least affected by it — A tube impregnated with 

 the odour of poison recently ejected being presented to 

 them, affected them in the same manner^. This circum- 

 stance may sometimes occasion battles amongst them, 

 that are not otherwise easy to be accounted for. 



Anger is no useless or hurtful passion in bees : it is 

 necessary to them for the preservation of themselves and 

 their property, which, besides those of their own species, 

 are exposed to the ravages of numerous enemies. Of 

 these I have already enumerated several of the class of 

 insects, and also some beasts and birds that have a taste 

 for bees and their produce ^. The Merops Apiaster 

 (which has been taken in England), the lark and other 

 birds catch them as they fly. Even the frog and the 

 toad are said to kill great numbers of bees ; and many 

 that full into the water probably become the prey offish. 

 The mouse also, especially the field-mouse, in winter 

 often commits great ravages in a hive, if the base and 

 orifices are not well secured and stopped '^. Thorlev 



• ii. 380— •• Vor.. I. IG.'V. ami "'SI. '281). ' Schirach, 55. 



