ENKMIKS OF BEiES. 231 



bees are at rest, and hover around the hive, till, luiving 

 found the door, they go in and lay their eggs." "If tlio 

 approach to the Apiary," says Bevan, " be observed of 

 a moonlight evening, the moths will be found flying or 

 running round the hives, vratching an opportunity to en- 

 ter, whilst the bees that have to guard the entrances 

 against their intrusion, wiU be seen acting as vigilant 

 sentinels, performing continual rounds near this important 

 post, extending their antennas to the utmost, and moving 

 them to the right and left alternately. Woe to the un- 

 fortunate moth that comes vrithin their reach !" " It is 

 curious," says Huber, " to observe how artfully the moth 

 knows how to profit by the disadvantage of the bees, 

 which require much light for seeing objects, and the pre- 

 cautions taken by the latter in reconnoitering and expel- 

 ling so dangerous an enemy." 



"Those that are prevented from getting within the 

 hive, lay their eggs in cracks on the outside ; and the little 

 worm-Uke caterpillars hatched therefrom, easily creep into 

 the hive through the cracks, or gnaw a passage for them- 

 selves under the edges of it."* — De. Haeeis. 



"As soon as hatched, the worm encloses itself in a case 

 of wliite silk, which it spins around its body ; at first it is 

 like a mere thread, but gradually increases in size, and, 

 during its growth, feeds upon the cells around it, for 

 which purpose it has only to put forth its head, and find 

 its wants supplied. It devours its food with great avidity, 

 and, consequently, increases so much in bulk, that its gal- 

 lery soon becomes too short and narrow, and the creature 

 is obliged to thrust itself forward and lengthen the gal- 

 lery, as weU to obtain more room as to procure an addi- 



* If movable bottom-boards are used, It Vill bo nejrt to impossible to prevent 

 the motb from laying her eggs between tbem and the edges of the biTOS. The 

 smallest opening will enable her to thrust in her ovipositor, and place her eggi 

 where her progeny will find an easy admission to the hive. 



