ENEMIES OF BEES. 249 



European to the New World, makes his Indian warrior 

 say : 



" Wheresoe'er they move, before them 

 Swarms the stinging tly, the Ahmo, 

 Swarms the bee, the honey-maker ; 

 Wheresoe'er they tread, beneath them 

 Springs a flower unknown among us, 

 Springs the White man's Foot in blossom."* 



With the bee, was introduced its natural enemy, created for 

 the special purpose, not of destroying ihe insect, on whose 

 industry it thrives, and whose extermination would be fatal 

 to the moth itself, but that it might gain its livelihood, as best 

 it could, in this busj' world. Finding itself in a country 

 whose climate is exceedingly propitious to its rapid increase, 

 it has multiplied and increased a thousand fold, until now 

 there is hardly a spot where bees inhabit, which is not 

 infested by its powerful enemy. 



' I have often listened to glowing accounts of the vast supplies 

 of honey obtained by the first settlers, from their bees. 

 Fifty years ago, the markets in our large cities were much 

 more abundantly supplied than they now are, and it was no 

 uncommon thing, to see, exposed for sale, large washing- 

 tubs filled with beautiful honey. Various reasons have been 

 assigned for the present depressed state of Apiarian pursuits. 

 An old German adage, runs thus : 



" Bells' ding dong, 



And choral song, 



Deter the bee 



From industry : 



But hoot of owl, 



And " wolf's long howl," 



Incite to moil 



And steady toil." 



In accordance with this, many, at the present time, con- 

 tend that newly settled countries, are altogeter most favorable 



* The white clover, a plant unknown to the aborigines. 



