THE HOUSEKEEPING OF THE HUMBLE-BEE 



809 



it. Living Humble -Bees were actually 

 imported into the country, where they 

 have now established themselves, with 

 the result that the cross-fertilisation, and 

 consequent seed-setting, of the clover is 

 duly accomplished. 



In conclusion, a few words mav be 

 added as to the best means of studying 

 Humble -Bees. The reader (for his own 

 comfort) may bear in mind the fact that, 

 although Humble-Bees possess stings, they 

 are by no means aggressive in the use 

 of these weapons. Thus, the taking of 

 a Humble-Bees' nest need not be regarded 

 as a formidable matter. First mark down 

 your nest during the hours of daylight. 

 if you see a succession of Humble-Bees 

 entering or leaving a hole in a bank, 

 you may be assured that this hole is the 

 entrance to their home. Humble-Bees 

 usually cease work a short time before 

 sundown ; so that if you return to the 

 spot just before dusk, you may be sure 

 that most of the Bees will have entered 

 the nest for the night. Bring with you 

 a good-sized cigar box, a bottle of chloro- 

 form, a pair of forceps, and a gauze- 

 covered, wide-mouthed bottle. You will 

 also need a trowel to lav bare the nest. 



As soon as possible, pour a little chloro- 

 form over the nest, and wait until the 

 humming has ceased. Then push aside 

 the mass of vegetable refuse which covers 

 the comb and gently pick up the stupefied 

 Bees with the forceps, putting them into 

 the bottle. The nest should then be 

 carefully raised and placed in the cigar 

 box. Now put the Bees also into the 

 box, where — if the chloroform has been 

 used with reasonable moderation — they 

 will soon revive. 



Before taking the nest, a sheet of 

 glass should be substituted for the hd 

 of the cigar box, while a hole about one 

 inch in diameter should be made in one 

 end through which the Bees may come 

 and go. It is a good plan, however, to 

 stop up this hole for twelve hours or so 

 after the Bees have been placed in the box, 

 in order that they may become accustomed 

 to their new home. Thereafter, the box 

 may be fitted below a window-sash so 

 that the Bees pass in and out without 

 annoying the observer, who remains in 

 the room. In this way an interesting 

 object lesson is provided, the fascination 

 of which will continue throughout the 

 whole summer. 



THE THREE KINDS OF INMATES OF A HUMBLE-BEES' NEST. 



Left: A typical "worker." Centre: The "queen," or chief eiiK-laying female. 



Right : A "drone," or male. 



103 



