The Life of the Individual 117 



the hive, and in case they are unable to remove the debris, 

 they may cover it with propohs. Lizards (Fig. 62), small 

 snakes and other intruders to the hive, which are too large 

 for the workers to remove, are sometimes found as "mum- 

 mies" on the hive bottom, sealed in propolis. The ventila^ 

 tion of the hive is accomplished by fanning of the wings. 

 The colony exhibits an astonishing degree of efficiency in 

 its ability to protect itself and the brood from excessively 

 high inside temperatures by rapid ventilation through a rel- 

 atively small opening at the entrance. 



Fig. 62. — Lizard incased in propolis. 



The guarding of the colony from intruders is interesting and 

 of great importance to the colony. This is done by bees 

 which stand about the entrance and on the lower edges of 

 the combs of the brood chamber. These bees usually do 

 not remain long at this work for the guards are constantly 

 changing. The hand may be placed right among them if 

 the movement is slow, while a swift movement will cause 

 them to dart out and will bring others to the entrance. 

 The honeybee is capable of preventing the entrance of in- 

 sects larger and more powerful than itself, such as wasps 

 and bumblebees. During the summer of 1909, small yellow- 

 jackets were especially abundant in the apiary of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture, then at College Park, Maryland, 

 and many dead ones were foimd daily in front of the 

 hives. Numerous large wasps with hard chitinous covering 

 are also killed by the bees. The bee-moth in some way 

 often succeeds in entering the hive but usually the eggs or 

 larvae are removed before any harm is done. Their success 

 probably depends upon their habit of flying by night. 



