AFTER THE FEAST 249 



be the truly collective one — of removing their own 

 bodies out of the way of harm to the cherished 

 State. 



With the waning months, the population of the 

 hive decreases visibly, and, as their numbers fail, 

 the temper of the bees suffers just as evident a 

 change. Old bee-keepers know by sharp ex- 

 perience that early autumn is a time when vigi- 

 lance well repays itself. For all life the season of 

 autumn has its peculiar tests and trials of character ; 

 and this is especially true with regard to the 

 honey-bee. Each strain of bees has its proclivi- 

 ties, good or bad, which are sure to come to the 

 front at this season. And, more than any, bad 

 qualities will shgw themselves, now that the rush 

 of the year's work is over, and the common energy 

 must take its course through an ever shallowing 

 and straitening way. 



To find rank dishonesty in a creature of so 

 small account in creation as an insect, is rather 

 startling to old-fashioned ideas; but it is never- 

 theless beyond dispute that some stocks of 

 bees are prone to develop a tendency to house- 

 breaking and robbery of their neighbour's goods 

 during early autumn, and, in a lesser degree, when 

 the first scanty supply of nectar begins in early 

 spring. 



Virgil, and almost all the classic writers, give 

 stirring accounts of the frequent battles among 

 bees in their day. We are told of vast conflicts 



