270 PHYSIOLOGY. 



on for the purpose of renewing the air of the hives, 

 and not for lowering its temperature, is evident 

 from its being continued to a certain extent, even 

 during the depth of winter. 



The vibratory motion of the bee's wings has 

 been regarded by some as the principal cause of 

 the humming noise heard in every prosperous hive 

 during the busy season. This humming has like- 

 wise been attributed to the rushing of the air 

 through their spiracles : so thought M. CHABRIER, 

 and, I believe, MR. J. HUNTER. Mr. H. assures 

 us that bees can produce a sound independently 

 of their wings ; for if these be smeared over with 

 honey so as to stick together, the bee still makes 

 a noise, which is shrill and peevish. He found 

 the same effect from holding the bee by the legs, 

 with a pair of pincers, while the wings were per- 

 fectly still, and also by immersing the insect in 

 water, though not till it was ve.y much teased. 



The whole body of a drone is in a state of vi- 

 bration when it hums. Though deprived of its 

 wings, it is capable of producing a sound exactly 

 similar, and probably the same with its former 

 hum : even when the legs are cut off, the trunk 

 retains its tremulous motion, and utters an audible 

 noise. If immersed in water, many air-bubbles are 

 disengaged from it : but though the mutilated 

 insect be taken out alive, it is no longer sonorous. 

 " This experiment, however incomplete," says a 



