TO STOEES OF FOOD. 281 



It is generally stated not only that the bees in a 

 hive all know one another, but also that they immedi- 

 ately recognise and attack any intruder from another 

 hive. It is possible that the bees of particular hives 

 have a particular smell. Thus Langstroth, in his in- 

 teresting ' Treatise on the Honey-Bee,' says, ' Members 

 of different colonies appear to recognise their hive 

 companions by the sense of smell ; ' and I believe that 

 if colonies are sprinkled with scented syrup they may 

 generally be safely mixed. Moreover, a bee returning 

 to its own hive with a load of treasure is a very dif- 

 ferent creature from a hungry marauder ; and it is 

 said that a bee, if laden with honey, is allowed to enter 

 any hive with impunity. Mr. Langstroth continues : 

 *■ There is an air of roguery about a thieving bee which, 

 to the expert, is as characteristic as are the motions of 

 a pickpocket to a skilful policeman. Its sneaking look 

 and nervous, guilty agitation, once seen, can never be 

 mistaken.' It is at an}' rate natural that a bee which 

 enters a wrong hive by accident should be much sur- 

 prised and alarmed, and would thus probably betray 

 herself. 



So far as my own observations go, though bees 

 habitually know and return to their own hive, still, if 

 placed on the alighting-board of another, they often 

 enter it without molestation. Thus : — 



On May 4 I put a strange bee into a hive at 2 

 o'clock. She remained in till 2.20, when she came out, 

 but entered again directly. I was away most of the 



