BOOK XI. XVIII. 58-xxix. 61 



fight battles for other reasons, and form in two 

 opposing hnes under two commanders, the chief 

 source of quarrel arising while they are coUecting 

 flowers, and each party caUing out their friends; 

 but the combat can be entirely scattered by some 

 dust being thrown on it or by smoke, while a 

 reconcihation can be effected by some milk or water 

 sweetened with honey. 



XIX. There are also wild and forest bees, which wncibces 

 are of a bristly appearance, and are much more domesHcaied 

 irascible but of superior industry and dihgence. '"'«•'• 

 Domesticated bees are of two kinds ; the best are 

 short and speckled and of a compact round shape, 

 and the inferior ones are long and have a resemblance 

 to wasps, and also the worst among them are hairy. 

 In Pontus there is a white kind that makes honey 

 twice in a month ; and in the neighbourhood 

 of the river Thermodon there are two kinds, one that 

 makes honey in trees and the other that makes it 

 underground in a threefold arrangement of combs, 

 and is most lavishly productive. 



Nature has given bees a sting attached to the Bees' tise of 

 stomach, designed for a single blow ; certain persons ^""^" 

 think that when they have planted their sting they 

 at once die, while some hold that this only occurs if 

 it is driven in so far that some of the gut follows it, 

 but that afterwards the bees are drones and do not 

 make honey, as though their strength had been 

 castrated, and they cease at the same time both to 

 hurt and to benefit. There is a case of a horse being 

 killed by bees. Bees hate foul smells and flee far 

 away from them, even those not due to natural 

 causes ; consequently they attack people scented „ 



•i-l X- -ru 4.V: 1 1-114- Dangersoj 



with periumes. Ihey tnemselves are hable to bees. 

 voL. III. Q 469 



