THE HONEY-BEE. 151 



This insect is of gigantic size, and Is endowed with 

 great strength, and it is conjectured by Huber to 

 possess a faculty like that w r hich he supposes to reside 

 in the Queen-bee, of emitting a certain sound which 

 strikes the bees with terror, and thus enables it to 

 extend its ravages with impunity. While in the cater- 

 pillar state, it feeds on the leaves of the potato, and 

 makes its appearance in its last and perfect state to- 

 wards the end of summer. It is described as most 

 injurious to the bees on the continent, and in some 

 parts of Africa; fortunately it is seldom seen in 

 this country.* Wasps, particularly those of the 

 hornet species, are most destructive to bees. We 

 have often observed one of these marauders enter a 

 hive with fearless intrepidity, and, watching its motions 

 through the glazed frame, have been astonished by its 

 feats of strength and agility. In ascending the combs 

 it is, of course, instantly attacked by the rightful in- 

 habitants ; if one only venture to assail it, the unfor- 

 tunate bee has no chance of victory, and but little of 

 escaping with life ; if five or six cluster round it, as 

 is generally the case, and cling close to its body, en- 

 deavouring to pierce it with their stings, their efforts 

 are set at nought by the intrepid wasp, which struggles 

 with unwearied obstinacy, rolls along the floor of the 

 hive so closely enveloped in a mass of bees, that but 

 little of its body is visible, and though at last it is 

 forced by overwhelming numbers to take to flight, it 

 flies off apparently uninjured from the conflict. These 

 * A more detailed account of it will be found in that volume 

 of the Naturalist's Library which treats of British moths and 

 hawk-moths, p. 133, % 



