34 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 



"The humming is not produced solely by the vibrating of 

 the wings, as is generally admitted. Chabrier, Burmeister, Lan- 

 dois, have discovered in the humming, three different sounds: 

 the first, caused by the vibration of the wings; the second, 

 sharper, by the vibration of the rings of the abdomen; the 

 third, the most intense and acute, produced by a true vocal 

 mechanism, placed at the orifices of the aerial tubes." — 

 (Girard.) 



^G. The bee-keeper who understands the language of bees, 

 can turn it to his advantage. Here are some examples: 



"When something seems to irritate the bees, who are in front 

 of a hive, on the alighting-board, they emit a short sound, 

 Z-Z-Z-, jumping at the same time towards the hive. This is a 

 warning. Then they fly and examine the object of their fears, 

 remaining sustained by their wings, near the suspected object, 

 and emitting at the same time, a. distinct and prolonged sound. 

 This is a sign of great suspicion. If the object moves quickly, 

 or otherwise shows hostile intent, the song is changed into a 

 piercing cry for help, in a voice whistling with anger. They 

 dash forward violentlj^ and blindly, and try to sting. 



"When they are quiet and satisfied, their voice is the hum- 

 ming of a grave tune; or, if they do not move their wings, an 

 allegro murmur. If they are suddenly caught or compressed, 

 the sound is one of distress. If a hive is jarred at a time when 

 all the Lees are quiet, the mass speedily raise a hum, n-hich 

 ceases as suddenly. In a queenless hive, the sound is doleful, 

 lasts longer, and at times increases in force. AVhen bees swarm, 

 the tunc is clear and gay, showing manifest happiness." — 

 (CEttl-Klauss, 1836.) 



77. The German pastor Stahala has published a veiy com- 

 plete study on the language of bees, which has appeared in 

 some of the bee-papers ot Italy, France and America. AYe 

 do not consider it as altogether accurate; but there are some 

 sounds described that all bee-keepers ought to study, especially 

 the doleful Avail of colonies which have lost their queen, and 

 ha^e no means of rearing another. 



'S'8. The Stixg.— The sting of a bee, a teiTor to so many, 

 is indispensable to her preservation. Without it, the attrac- 



