128 FOOD OF BEES. 



Salt. 



274. Bees seem to be so fond of salt, that they -will 

 alight upon our hands to lick up the saline perspiration. 



" During the early part of the breeding season," said Dr. Bevan, 

 " till the beginning of May, I keep a constant supply of salt and 

 water near my Apiary, and find it thronged with bees from early 

 morn till late in the evening. About this period the quantity 

 they consume is considerable, but afterwards they seem indiffer- 

 ent to it. The eagerness they evince for it at one period of the 

 season, and their indifference at another, may account for the 

 opposite opinions entertained respecting it." 



