852 THE BEE. 



They take their flight high in the air, and sometimes 

 proceed to a great distance. Often every effort of the 

 owner of the hive to stop the swarm is unavailing, and 

 they depart never to be seen again. More frequently 

 however they light upon the limb of a tree or some other 

 such object at no great distance from the hive. It is 

 said that any noise which will drown the hum of their 

 leader, will so confuse them that they are compelled 

 immediately to alight. Hence you often perceive a 

 swarm of bees pursued with all the noises which shovels 

 and tongs, tin pans, &:-c, can produce. If they are not in- 

 duced to alight, and collect into a new hive, they seek 

 out some hollow tree, and there commence the formation 

 of comb. If the orifice is too large, they build a thick 

 coating of comb until it is made of suitable dimensions. 

 As soon as they have selected their habitation they im- 

 mediately begin to make their combs, for they carry the 

 materials for this purpose from their parent hive. Hav- 

 ing repaired their new habitation without delay, they com- 

 mence their industrious labors. Every department of 

 business thrives under their harmonious and well organ- 

 ized efforts. In warm weather one strong hive has been 

 known to send off four swarms in eighteen days. 



DOMESTIC HABITS. 



" Bees generally perform their labors in a peaceful man- 

 ner without interfering with each other's rights. But 

 sometimes they prefer to obtain their honey by stealth 

 rather than by honest labor. Occasionally the inhabitants 

 of two hives, will wage against each other most implacable 

 war. The whole summer is passed in cruel and deadly 

 contest, and the ground in front of the hives may be 

 seen covered with the bodies of the slain. I have watch- 

 ed these furious battles with amazement. Two bees 

 would meet with all the spite and fury imaginable in 

 such little creatures. With mouth and sting they would 

 make most vigorous efforts. Apparently unmindful of 

 everything else, they would mount high into the air, in 

 the contest, or roll over in the dust in deadly embrace. 

 Their stings might be seen glancing from the coat of 



