134 SPEtNG. 



to enjoy the balmy air. As they come from theb 

 door, they pause a moment to rub their eyes, which 

 h9,ve long been obscured in darkness. 



BEES MAEK THEIK LOCATION ON LEAVING THE HIVE. 



They rise on the wing, but do not leave in a direct 

 line, but immediately turn their heads towards the en- 

 trance of their tenement, describing a circle of only a 

 few inches at first, but enlarge as they recede, until 

 an area of several rods have been viewed and marked. 



CHANGING STAND ATTENDED WITH LOSS. 



After a few excursions, when surrounding objects 

 have become familiar, this precaution is not takeOj and 

 they leave in a^direct line for their destination, and re- 

 turn by their way -marks without difficulty. Man with 

 his reason is guided on the same principles. There 

 are a great many people who suppose the bee knows 

 its hive by a kind of instinct, or is attracted towards 

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

 if they did ; as they often move their bees a few rods, 

 or feet, after the location is thus marked, and what is 

 the consequence ? The stocks are materially injured 

 by loss of bees, and sometimes entirely ruined. Let 

 us trace the cause. As I remarked, 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 the removal has 

 been.from four to twenty feet, some of the bees may 

 find a hive, but just as liable to enter the wrong one 



