208 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



flame their courage, that they may more resolutely de^ 

 fend 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 neighbours, 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> 

 haled 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 in- 

 sects, however, in their ordinary labours 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 con- 

 tention 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, M'hich were 

 settled very tranquilly before the gate of their man- 

 sion. Instantaneously 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 aff*ected by it — A tube im- 

 pregnated with the odour of poison recently ejected, 



»5l. 



