THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



place. Early the next morning they may be examined,* 

 and, if necessary, united to another stock. 



There is a kind of pillage which is carried on so secretly 

 as often to escape all notice. The bees engaged in it do 

 not enter in large numbers, no fighting is visible, and the 

 labors of the hive appear to be progressing with their 

 usual quietness. All the while, however, strange bees are 

 carrying off the honey as fast as it is gathered. After 

 watching such a colony for some days, it occurred to me, 

 one evening, as it had an unhatched queen, to give it a 

 fertile one. On the next morning, rising before the 

 rogues were up, I had the pleasure of seeing them meet 

 with such a warm reception, that they were glad to make 

 a speedy retreat. 



May not the fertile mother give to each hive (p. 203) 

 its distinguishing scent ? And may not a hive without 

 such a queen be so pleased (p. 226) with the odor of other 

 bees, as to let them do what they will with its stores ? 

 As bees are seldom engaged in raising young queens, 

 except in the swarming season, when honey is so plenty 

 that they are not inclined to rob, this may, if my conjec- 

 tures are correct, account for the scarcity of this kind of 

 pillage. 



hive some Intensely powerful and unaccustomed odor. He effects this the most 

 readily by placing in it, in the evening, a small portion of musk, and on the follow- 

 ing morning the bees, if they have a healthy queen, will boldly meet their 

 assailants. These are nonplussed by the unwonted odor, and, if any of them 

 enter the hive and carry off some of the coveted booty, on their return home, 

 having a strange smell, they will be killed by their own household. The robbing 

 is thus soon brought to a close." S.WAGNER. 



* It will usually be found that a stock which is overpowered by robbers has no 

 queen, or one that is diseased (p. 244, note). 



