146 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



result at which Marey arrived. Tremendous as this 

 speed appears, involving a sequence of muscular 

 contractions of almost inconceivable rapidity, it is 

 probable that it is considerably below the truth, both 

 because of the weakening effect of the experiment 

 and the friction of the paper; Marey finding that, 

 as he lessened the contact of the wing on the drum, 

 the velocity very considerably increased. 



These objections do not attach to determinations 

 based upon the note the flapping wings produce. 

 From what has been said of the tuning fork, it will 

 be remembered that pitch depends upon the number 

 of vibrations in a given time, and as the note 

 formed by the wing of the bee in vigorous flight, 

 according to Landois, - * ranges between the A and 

 C of the first and second ledger of the treble clef, 

 its velocity, if this musical determination be accu- 

 rate, can be no less than about 440 vibrations per 

 second, instead of 190, as reached by the Graphic 

 method ; but Landois himself observes that fatigue 

 has a marked effect, quickly bringing the rapidity 

 down to three-fourths of its normal amount. 



In this connection it is worthy of remark, that 

 bees in the full vigour of youth and health are not 

 always in a condition in which flight is possible. 

 They may, now and again, be noticed to content 

 themselves with running, although frightened, even 

 touches with the finger at first inducing no more 

 than flying jumps of 3m. or 4m. Their temporary 

 inability is due to the small amount of air the 



* "Die Ton-und Stummaparate der Insecten. Zeitschrift fur Wissen- 

 schaftliche Zoologie, 1867," page 105. 



