ENEMIES OF BEES. 235 



the combs, or inserts them in the corners or crevices, 

 or among the refuse wax and bee-bread on the bottom- 

 board, where her progeny can be concealed and nourished 

 till they are able to reach the combs. 



In Plate XX., Fig. 57, Mr. Tidd has faithfully de- 

 lineated, and Mr. Smith skillfully engraved, the black 

 mass of tangled webs, cocoons, excrements, and perfo- 

 rated combs, which may be found in a hive where the 

 worms have completed their work of destruction. 



The entrance of the moth into a hive and the ravages 

 committed by her progeny, forcibly illustrate the havoc 

 which vice often makes when admitted to prey unchecked 

 on the precious treasures of the human heart. Only some 

 tiny eggs are deposited by the insidious moth, which give 

 birth to very innocent-looking worms ; but let them once 

 get the control, and the fragrance* of the honied dome is 

 soon corrupted, the hum of happy industry stilled, and 

 everything useful and beautiful ruthlessly destroyed. 



The honey-bee is not a native of the New World, 

 and, when brought here, was called by the Indians the 



consecutively, like those of the queen bee, but are found in the ducts, fully and 

 perfectly formed, a few days after the female moth emerges from the cocoon. She 

 deposits them, usually, in little clusters on the combs. If -we wish to witness the 

 discharge of the eggs, it is only necessary to seize a female moth, two or three days 

 old, with finger and thumb, by the head she will instantly protrude her ovipo- 

 sitor, and the eggs may then be distinctly seen passing along through the semi- 

 transparent duct. (8eo Plate XIII., Fig. 46, C.) 



" Last Summer I reared a bee-moth larva in a small box. It spun a cocoon, 

 from which issued a female moth. Holding her by the head, I allowed her to 

 deposit eggs on a piece of honey-comb. Three weeks afterwards, I examined the 

 comb, and found on it some web and two larvse. The eggs were all shrivelled and 

 dried up, except a few which were perforated, and from which, I suppose, the 

 larvae emerged. This appears to bo a case of true parthenogenesis in the bee- 

 moth." Translated from DE. DONHOFF by S. WAGNEE. 



As among hundreds of specimens furnished to Mr. Tidd very few males were 

 noticed, I conjectured that the eggs of these females would hatch without impreg- 

 nation, and took measures to have Dr. Joseph Leidy investigate the subject It 

 seems, however, that in this matter, our German brethren have the priority. 



* The odor of the moth and larv is very offensive. 



