838 ROBBING. 



by ihe inexperienced, for robbers ; there is, however, a most 

 marked distinction between the conduct of the two. The 

 arrant rogue when caught, attempts with might and main, 

 to pull away from his executioners, while the poor bewil- 

 dered unfortunate shrinks into the smallest compass, like a 

 cowed dog, and submits to whatever fate his captors may 

 may see fit to award him. 



The class of dishonest bees which I have been describing, 

 may be termed the " Jerry Sneaks " of their profession, 

 and after following it for some time, they lose all disposition 

 for honest pursuits, and assume a hang-dog sort of look, 

 which is very peculiar. Constantly creeping into small holes, 

 and daubing themselves with honey, they often lose all the 

 bright feathers and silky plumes which once so beautifully 

 adorned their bodies, and assume a smooth and almost black 

 appearance ; just as the hat of the thievish loafer, acquires 

 a " seedy " aspect, and his garments, a shining and thread- 

 bare look. Dzierzon is of opinion that the black bees which 

 Huber describes as so bitterly persecuted by the rest, are 

 nothing more than these thieving bees. I call them old con- 

 victs, dressed in prison uniform, and incurably given up to 

 dishonest pursuits. 



Bees occasionally act the part of highway robbers ; some 

 half dozen or more, will waylay and attack a poor humble- 

 bee returning to its nest with a sack full of honey, like an 

 honest trader, jogging home with a well filled purse. They 

 seize Ihe poor fellow, giving him at once to understand that 

 they must have the earnings of his industry. They do not 

 slay him ! Oh no ! not they ! they are far too selfish to en- 

 danger their own precious persons ; and even if they could 

 kill him, without losing their weapons, they would be unable 

 to extract his sweets from the deep recesses of his honey 

 bag: they therefore begin to bite and teaze him, after the 



