SCO FOKEI6N BEES. 



that " the office is no sinecure/' Fortunately for 

 the insect on duty, the population is small ; were it 

 equal to that of a European hive, the task would 

 be harder by twenty- fold. Like the domestic bee, 

 they are fond of keeping their premises clear of all 

 extraneous and offensive matter. A little paint was 

 dropped at the entrance of a hive; the sentinel 

 carefully examined it, seemed to dislike it, and re- 

 treated into the hive. In a few seconds it returned 

 with a troop of companions, each loaded with a por- 

 tion of wax, probably a scale in a half liquid state ; 

 this they deposited on the soiled spot, repeating 

 the operation till it was entirely covered, and the 

 nuisance abated. (The interior of the hive of this 

 bee is represented on PI. XXII.) 



We omitted to notice in their proper places, while 

 enumerating the enemies of Exotic Bees, the Ratel 

 and the European Bee-Eater, represented in Plates 

 XXIX and XXX. The Ratel (Viv err a mellivora, 

 (M. rattellus of Fred. Cuv.) is an almost inseparable 

 companion of the Honey-Guide, (Indicator major) 

 in its exploratory excursions. It is an animal found 

 near the Cape of Good Hope, and assisted by the 

 above-named bird, this creature discovers and suc- 

 cessfully attacks the bees in their subterraneous re- 

 treats; and after having appropriated the honied 

 stores as its own peculiar prize, leaves to its assistant 

 the combs filled with brood, which is said to be the 

 part of the plunder most valued by the bird. Both 

 of the plunderers are protected from the stings of 



