144 BEE-FJRMING. 



came directly to the boxes. He also tried this experiment 

 by means of small card valves, which the bees, after ex- 

 amining the boxes all round, contrived to raise up that 

 they might reach the honey. The extreme sensitiveness 

 of smell is evinced by their promptitude in resenting an 

 injury inflicted on any of their community: thus, if any of 

 the bees are crushed in hiving a svi^arm, it makes them 

 angry. This experiment may be tried : present the sting, 

 with its accompanying poison-bag, at the entrance of a 

 hive, their enmity is immediately aroused. Woe to the 

 bee-master, if he happens to be close at hand. 



In reference to offensive breath, M. Hofer had been 

 an admirer of bees many years, so that he would take the 

 hive into the house and carry away the queen in presence 

 of his friends; but he was attacked with a fever; on his 

 recovery he again attempted this familiarity ; the bees 

 would never again allow of his approaching the hive, but 

 fiercely resented it. 



The sense of touch is also apparent ; it is by this means, 

 so it is supposed, they are enabled to carry on their 

 operations in the darkness of the hive. The antennas are 

 thought to be employed for this purpose; we believe they 

 have the sense of sound produced by these organs. Lin- 

 naeus long believed that insects did not possess the sense of 

 hearing ; however, there cannot be the least doubt that 

 bees have it acutely developed, for, according to Huber, 

 they are keenly sensitive to the queen's song. But this 

 does not need any argument ; every bee-keeper who has 

 been accustomed to drive bees knows that they quickly 

 detect the drumming noise on their skep or hive, and 

 become so terrified that in fifteen minutes almost everv 

 bee will have deserted the rich stores. 



We cannot doubt also that taste is highly developed in 

 the hive-bee. The tongue must haVe a wonderful powet 

 to detect so rapidly the different taste of nectar, so a? to 



