.388 THE SENSORIAL FUNCTIONS. 



observed to quit the larvae which they had been 

 feeding, and to run about in great agitation, to 

 and fro, near the cell which the queen had oc- 

 cupied before her abduction. They then move 

 over a wider circle, and on meeting with such of 

 their companions as are not aware of the disaster, 

 communicate the intelligence by crossing their 

 antennae and striking lightly with them. The 

 bees which receive the news become in their 

 turn agitated, and conveying this feeling where- 

 ever they go, the alarm is soon participated by 

 all the inhabitants of the hive. All rush forwards 

 with tumultuous precipitation, eagerly seeking 

 their lost queen ; but after continuing the search 

 for some hours, and finding it to be fruitless, 

 they appear resigned to their misfortune ; the 

 noisy tumult subsides, and the bees quietly 

 resume their labours. 



A bee, deprived of its antennae, immediately 

 becomes dull and listless : it desists from its 

 usual labours, remains at the bottom of the hive, 

 seems attracted only by th« light, and takes the 

 first opportunity of quitting the hive, never more 

 to return. A queen bee, thus mutilated, ran 

 about, without apparent object, as if in a state 

 of delirium, and was incapable of directing her 

 trunk with precision to the food which was 

 offered to her. Latreille relates that, having de- 

 prived some labouring ants of their antennae, he 

 replaced them near the nest ; but they wandered 



