Vision in Insects. 61 
The compound eyes are motionless, but from their size 
and sub-spherical shape, they give quite a range of vision. 
It is not likely that they are capable of adjustment to 
accord with different distances, and it has been supposed, 
from the direct darting flight of bees to their hives, and 
the awkward work they make in finding a hive when 
moved only a short distance, that their eyes are best suited 
to long vision. 
Sir John Lubbock has proved, by some interesting 
experiments with strips of colored paper, that bees can 
distinguish colors. Honey was placed on a blue strip, 
beside several others of various colors. In the absence of 
the bees he changed the position of this strip, and upon 
their return the bees went to the blue str ip rather than to 
the old position. Our practical apiarists have long been 
aware of this fact, and have conformed their practice to 
this knowledge, in giving.a variety of colors to their hives. 
Apiarists have frequently noted that bees have a rare fac- 
uty of marking positions, but, for slight distances their 
sense of color will correct mistakes which would occur if 
position alone were their guide.“ Yet I believe more has 
been made of this matter of. color than truth will war- 
rant. Lubbock’s experiments prove that ants and wasps 
also distinguish colors. This is doubtless true of all insects 
that love sweets and are attracted by flowers. I have 
noticed a curious blunder made by bees in case of two 
houses which are just - alike, but five rods apart. Honey 
placed on one porch is scarce found by bees before the cor- 
responding porch of the other house will be swarming 
with bees also, though no honey is near it, The bees are 
simply fooled. This experiment has been tried several 
times, so there can be no mistake. It shows that sight, 
not mere position, nor yet odor, is guide, even at long dis- 
tances. 
Within the head is the large brain (Fig. 17), which will 
be described, as we come to speak of the nervous system. 
There are also chitinous bars and braces within, which serve 
greatly to strengthen this portion of the insect. 
