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CHAPTER V. 



ENEMIES. 



The enemies of bees are certain animals, birds and 

 insects. 



BEARS. 



Among animals, bears are known to be such lovers 

 of honey as frequently to search out a bee-tree in 

 the forest, gnaw a hole into the cavity occupied by 

 the bees, and devour the honey. 



In some instances they have visited apiaries, over- 

 turned the hives, and helped themselves to the con- 

 tents, honey, comb and bees. 



SKUNKS. 



Skunks, or polecats, are also formidable enemies 

 of the bee family. They search for and dig up the 

 nests of wasps and hornets, humble bees, &c., eat the 

 brood and mature insects and honey, if any is found. 

 They also frequently visit apiaries, and if they find 

 bees clustered on the outside of the hive, they will 

 devour large numbers of them. If none are on the 



