PASSIONS AND EMOTIONS OF BEES. 231 



affection for the developing brood is shown by the 

 workers. It matters not whether the combs con- 

 taining it belong to their own hives or to others. 

 They will cluster upon the cells to maintain the 

 required warmth, will supply the larvae with food, and 

 render every attention required by the young. When 

 the offspring have come forth, some rather rough, 

 but manifestly kindly meant offices, are performed, 

 in clearing away the remains of the cocoon, comb- 

 ing out the imperfectly expanded wings, &c., but 

 loving care ceases with the need for it ; and, in adult 

 life, the most we can predicate is a placid indifference 

 to each other's presence, unless, indeed, anger should 

 be aroused by some accident, when a more or less 

 serious battle will take place. 



That bees are susceptible of fear we have made 

 evident in what has been said about the effect pro- 

 duced on them by smoke, by drumming, and by any 

 sharp vibration of their combs. 



The passion of anger is decidedly prominent in 

 their nature. It is, indeed, apt to rise to an uncon- 

 trollable degree on very slight provocation, particu- 

 larly, as we have mentioned, under certain conditions 

 of weather, and especially of temperature. More- 

 over, the exhibition of it is frequently unrestrained 

 by the fact that the use of the sting generally means 

 the death of the aggressor, owing to the impossibility 

 of withdrawing the barbed weapon, without tearing 

 away part of the vital organs also. 



Covetousness is also a powerful emotion with these 

 insects. We have already spoken of the dangers of 

 allowing bees a taste of sweets from other hives than 

 their own, and of the almost ineradicable longing for 



