246 ENEMIES OF BEES. 



place in which to ensconce iiself, is caught by the nape of 

 the neck, and very unceremoniously served with an instant 

 writ of ejectment from the hive. If a hive is thoroughly 

 made, of sound materials, and has no cracks or crevices 

 under which the worm can retreat, being obliged to leave 

 the interior in search of a suitable place, it runs a most dan- 

 gerous gauntlet, as it passes, for this purpose, through the 

 ranks of its enraged foes. Even in the worm state, how- 

 ever, its motions are exceedingly quick ; it can crawl back- 

 wards or forwards, and as well one way as another ; it can 

 twist round on itself, curl up almost into a knot, and flatten 

 itself out like a pancake ! in short, it is full of stratagems 

 and cunning devices. If obliged to leave the hive, it gets 

 under any board or concealed crack, spins its cocoon, and 

 patiently awaits ils transformation. In most of the common 

 hives, it is under no necessity of leaving its birth place for 

 this purpose, being almost certain to find a crack or flaw 

 into which it can creep, or a small space between the bottom 

 board and the edges of the hive which rest upon it. A very 

 small crevice will answer, as it enters, by flattening itself 

 almost as much as though it had been passed under a roller, and 

 as soon as safe from the bees, speedily begins lo give its 

 cramped tenement, the requisite proportions. It is amazing, 

 how an insect apparently so feeble, can do this; but it will 

 often gnaw for itself a cavity, even in solid wood, and thus 

 enlarge its retreat, until it has ample room for making ils 

 cocoon ! The time when it will break forth into a winged 

 insect, varies with the temperature to which it is exposed. 

 In a temperature of about 70°, I have had them spin their 

 cocoons, and hatch in ten or eleven days ; and ihey often 

 spin so late in the Fall, that ihey remain all Winter, unde- 

 veloped, and if they survive the cold, do not emerge until 

 She warm weather of the ensuing Spring. 



