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collecting on the stems of some stunted silver-firs where the bark had been _ 
rubbed off in former years: on examination I observed that these spots were — 
inhabited by some specimens of the Aphis tribe, large and rather light 
coloured: they exuded very large drops of their feces, and this was the 
attraciion to the wasps, who became gorged or drunk with it, so as to prevent 
them from getting out of the way of the foot which crushed a dozen at once. 
What species of Aphis was it likely to be? 
1855. The spring of this year also very dry, but no wasps are recorded as paid for. 
The years 1856 and 1857 were moderate as to rain, and 1858 was a very dry year. 
In 1857 there were 144 dozens of queens and in 1858 94 dozens paid for. 
No record of 1859, but 1860 was a year of wet and gloom: no queens and no 
nests. 
In 1861 no queens collected, and only 21 dozens in i862. 
In 1863 no queens collected and very few nests to be found; there were some very 
strong nests, but all known ones were destroyed. 
Yet now, on the 20th of May, there have been brought in above 250 dozens. 
Where do they come from after such a season of their scarcity as 1863? 
‘My house is not very far distant from long tracts of wood, on the edge of the 
southern slopes of the South Downs.”—W. L. W. 
Mr. F. Smith enquired what was the object of destroying all the queens? Surely 
such immense Visitations of wasps did not occur without there being some important” 
function which the insects were sent to perfurm. 
Mr. Tegetmeier mentioned a novel instance of intelligence and prevision in the 
honey-bee. When a tenautless hive with empty combs is left in an accessible situa- 
tion, it frequently happens that bees will visit it and clear out the refuse, and that a 
swarm will then take possession of it; but it has not been previously recorded that the 
bees will secrete wax in a tenantless hive for the .purpose of repairing the injured 
combs and of fastening them more securely to the roof and sides. Being desirous of 
stocking a moveable frame hive with a swarm that was expected to come off early in 
May, Mr. Tegetmeier secured an empty comb in each frame and placed the hive 
alongside the stock from which the swarm was expected to issue. The bees from that 
stock immediately visited the empty hive, and carried out fragments of loose comb; on 
raising the hive after it had been thus visited for a few days, he observed newly- 
secreted scales of wax on the floor-board; and on careful examination he found that a 
considerable quantity of new white wax had been secreted, and used for the purpose of 
securely attaching the combs to the wooden frames. The difference between new and 
old wax was so great as to preclude the possibility of one being mistaken for the other ; 
and hence Mr. Tegetmeier could only conclude that the bees, with the intention of 
taking possession of the empty hive, had assembled in it in considerable numbers and 
clustered together to secrete wax, which they had then employed to strengthen the 
attachments of the combs, so as to enable them to bear the weight of the honey, bee- 
bread and brood, with which the cells would be filled shortly after a swarm should 
take possession of the hive. 
Mr. Tegetmeier also said that about two years ago he had brought under the notice 
of the Society the fact that bees in the perfect state were in the habit of eating pollen 
or bee-bread, which was previously supposed to be collected solely as food for the 
larve; during the present year he had obtaived indubitable proof of the consumption 
