DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF BEES. 219 
ligent inquiry to which we owe so many of our striking 
improvements, has provided a remedy with which I have 
no experience, but which I accept from good authority. 
REMEDY. 
The remedy is Salicylic Acid, dissolved in alcohol, 
or in a solution of Borax in water. Mr. Muth’s 
recipe, as I quote from ‘‘Cook’s Manual,” is, one hun- 
dred and twenty-eight grains of Salicylic Acid, the same 
of Soda Borax, and sixteen ounces of Distilled Water. 
This fluid is thrown in a fine spray over the combs, the 
brood being previously uncapped. This is said to be 
harmless to the bees but fatal to the fungi. The same 
precautions are necessary as to the care of the honey, and 
the confinement of the bees, as above stated. 
PARASITES, 
The statements of Prof. Packard, and other natural. 
ists, combined with my own observations, have led me to 
favor the view that the original cause of this disease is a 
parasite feeding upon the larve, producing death and pu- 
trefaction. The small holes in the caps of the infected 
cells possess a significance in this connection. The re- 
markable diminution of this scourge within the past few 
years, is to be accounted for, I think, upon a similar 
theory. It is consistent to suppose that among the 
many various parasites that infest the bee-hive, there are 
those which prey upon the destroyer of the larve, and 
thus destroy them in turn. Corroborative evidence of 
this, is found in our experience with cabbage and currant 
worms, potato bugs and other pests, which, after a few 
seasons of unchecked devastation, are overtaken by their 
parasitic enemies, and their ravages materially lessened. 
Those who have not given attention to the subject of 
parasites, can hardly be aware of the number and variety of 
