THE PASTORAL BEES 21 



case of such union, it would be curious to know if 

 negotiations were first opened between the parties, 

 and if the houseless bees are admitted at once to all 

 the rights and franchises of their benefactors. It 

 would be very like the bees to have some preliminary- 

 plan and understanding about the matter on both 

 sides. 



Bees will accommodate themselves to almost any 

 quarters, yet no hive seems to please them so well 

 as a section of a hollow tree, — "gums," as they 

 are called in the South and West where the sweet 

 gum grows. In some European countries the hive 

 is always made from the trunk of a tree, a suitable 

 cavity being formed by boring. The old-fashioned 

 straw hive is picturesque, and a great favorite with 

 the bees also. 



The life of a swarm of bees is like an active and 

 hazardous campaign of an army; the ranks are being 

 continually depleted, and continually recruited. 

 What adventures they have by flood and field, and 

 what hair- breadth escapes ! A strong swarm during 

 the honey season loses, on an average, about four or 

 five thousand per month, or one hundred and fifty 

 per day. They are overwhelmed by wind and rain, 

 caught by spiders, benumbed by cold, crushed by 

 cattle, drowned in rivers and ponds, and in man;j 

 nameless ways cut off or disabled. In the spring 

 the principal mortality is from the cold. As the sun 

 declines they get chilled before they can reach home. 

 Many fall down outside the hive, unable to get in 

 with their burden. One may see them come utterly 



