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 show 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 
