BOOK XI. XXIX. 61-XX. 64 



injuries froni very many creatures. Wasps and 

 hornets which are degenerate species of the same 

 nature attack them, as also do the species of gnat 

 called mule-flies. Swallows and some other birds 

 ravage them. Frogs lie in w^ait for them when they 

 are getting water, which is their most important 

 task at the period when they are producing offspring. 

 And not only the frogs that beset ponds and rivers 

 but also toads come of their own accord and crawUng 

 up to the doorways blow through them ; thereupon 

 the guard flies out and is immediately snapped up ; 

 and it is said that frogs do not feel a bee's sting. 

 Sheep too are the enemies of bees, which with 

 difficulty disentangle themselves from their wool. 

 Also the smell of crabs being boiled near them is 

 fatal to them. 



XX. Moreover bees suffer diseases due to their own DUease» oj 

 nature. A symptom of these is a gloomy torpidity, 

 both when they are brought out before the doorway 

 into the warmth of the sun and food is served to 

 them by others and when they die and the others 

 carry them out and escort their obsequies in the 

 manner of persons conducting a funeral. When this 

 pestilence carries ofF the king the commons mourn 

 with abject grief, not collecting food and not going 

 out of the hive ; they only mass themselves round 

 his body with a sorrowful buzzing. Consequently 

 the throng is separated and he is taken away from 

 it ; otherwise they keep gazing at his lifeless body 

 and never stop mourning. Then also, unless help is 

 brought to them, they die of hunger. Consequently 

 their health is judged by their gaiety and bright- 

 ness. 



There are also diseases that affect their work: 



471 



