i84 A PRACTICAL TEST 



the most part of their existence is spent, it is 

 a very natural instinct which inclines them to 

 make these explorations. 



Now we shall proceed to a practical test 

 which, in my opinion, suffices to prove that 

 bees have the power to discover cavities 

 independently of eyesight. 



Let the nature-student betake himself to a 

 wood where the trees are sparse. Here on a 

 bright day in early spring he will meet with 

 humble-bees of different species who are mak- 

 ing their first appearance after hybernation. 

 These bees are all females bent on the same 

 object, which is to find a suitable under- 

 ground cavity wherein to rear the brood of 

 the year. 



Whilst stroUing in the copse the investiga- 

 tor soon catches sight of his quest, a portly 

 humble-bee, who is in the act of flying round 

 in circles over the ground ; as he approaches 

 the insect buzzes round him and then goes off, 

 but returns again immediately to continue the 

 same manoeuvres. In the meanwhile, the 

 observer has taken up his position against a 

 tree, where he remains motionless and watches 

 the bee in the execution of her circuitous 

 evolutions. 



But to state the matter shortly, the meaning 

 of this particular behaviour on the part of the 



