INSTINCT or" INSECTS. 499 



to bear In mind that I do not mean to include those 

 exhibited by the queen, the drones, or even those of 

 the workers, termed by Huber cirieres (wax-makers) ; 

 but only to enumerate those presented by that portion 

 of the workers, termed by Huber wowmce^ or petites 

 aheilles (nurses), upon whom, as you have been before 

 told% with the exception of making- wax, laying- the 

 foundation of the cells, and collecting honey for be- 

 ing- stored, the principal labours of the hive devolve. 

 It will be these individuals alone that I shall understand 

 by the term hees, under the present head : and though 

 ~the other inhabitants of the hive may occasionally con- 

 cur in some of their actions and labours, yet it is ob- 

 vious that so many as are those in which thcT/ distinctly 

 take part, so many instincts must we regard them as 

 endowed with. 



To begin, tlien, with the formation of the colony: — 

 By one instinct bees are directed to send out scouts pre- 

 viously to their swarming in search of a suitable 

 abode '' ; and by another, to rush out of the hive after the 

 queen that leads forth the swarm, and follow wherever 

 she bends her course. Having taken possession of 

 their new abode, whether of their own selection or 

 prepared for them by the hand of man, a third instinct 

 teaches them to cleanse it from all impurities'" ; a fourth 

 to collect propolis, and with it to stop up every crevice 

 except the entrance ; a fifth to ventilate the hive for 

 preserving the purity of the air ; and a sixth to keep a 

 constant guard at the door*^. 



In constructing the houses and streets of their new 



" Voi. I. 2(1 Ed. 490. •* See above, p, 189. 



' Huber, ii. 102. " Ibid. i. 186. li. 41'2. 



2 K 2 



