Hornets. 179 



cloud of bees whose ire 3-011 have aroused, the only 

 safe place is a hedge or bush, into which make haste 

 to thrust 3'ourself, when the boughs and leaves will 

 baffle them. If the hive be moved to a different 

 place, the bees that chance at the time to be out in 

 the fields collecting hone}', upon their return, finding 

 their home gone, are evidently at a loss. They fly 

 round, hovering about over the spot for a long time 

 before they discover the fresh position of the hive. 



The great hornet, with its tinge of reddish-orange, 

 comes through the garden sometimes with a heavj' 

 buzz, distinguishable in a moment from the sound 

 of any other insect. All country- folk believe the 

 hornet's sting to be the most poisonous and painful 

 of an}', and will relate instances of persons losing the 

 use of their arms for a few days in consequence of 

 the violent inflammation. Sometimes the hornet 

 selects for its nest an aperture in an old shed near 

 the farmhouse. I have seen their nests quite close 

 to houses ; but, unless wantonly disturbed, there is 

 not the slightest danger from them, or indeed from 

 an}' other insects of this class. I think the common 

 hive-bees are the worst tempered of any — they re- 

 sent the slightest interference with their motions. 

 The hornet often chooses an old hollow withy-pollard 

 for the site of its nest. 



In the orchard there is at least one nest of the 

 humble-bee, made at a great depth in a deserted 

 mouse's hole. These bees have eaten away and re- 

 moved the grass just round the entrance, so as to get 

 a clear road in and out. They are as industrious as 

 the hive-bee ; but, as there are not nearly so many 

 working together in one colony, they do not store up 



