74 THE APIABT. 



they leave the hire, they pause a moment, then rise on 

 the wing, and face it, describing a small circle at first, 

 bat increasing as they recede, until an area of several 

 yards has been viewed and marked. After a few excur* 

 sions, when surrounding objects have become familiar, 

 this precaution is not taken, but they leave in a direct 

 line for their destination, returning by their way-marka 

 without difficulty. 



MOVING BEES SHORT DISTANCES. 



Very excellent authorities have claimed that bees oould 

 not be moved less than a mile and a half or two miles, 

 without injury, as they would return to their former local- 

 ities. Mr. Quinby says : 



" There are a great many people who suppose the bee 

 knows its hive by a kind of instinct, or is attracted to- 

 wards it, like the steel to the magnet. At least they act 

 as if they thought so, as they often move their bees a 

 few feet or rods, after the location is thus marked, and 

 what is the consequence ? — The stocks are materially in- 

 jured, and sometimes entirely ruined by loss of bees. Let 

 us notice the cause. As I have stated, the bees have 

 marked the location. They leave the hive without any 

 precaution, as surrounding objects are familiar. They 

 return to their old stand and find no home. If there is 

 more than one stock, and their own has been removed 

 from four to twenty feet, some of the bees may find a 

 hive, but are just as liable to enter the wrong one as the 

 right. Probably they would not go over twenty feet, and 

 very likely not that, unless the new situation was very 

 conspicuous. If a person had but one stock, the loss 

 would probably be less, as every bee finding a hive, would 

 be sure to be right, and none would be killed, as is gener- 

 ally the case, when a few enter a strange hive. Some- 

 times a stock will allow strange bees to unite with them, 

 but it is seldom, unless a large number enters." 



