SIGNS OF A PILLAGED HIVE. 315 



if in a few days lie finds it formally and vigorously attacked 

 by a whole gang of robbers. 



As, however, prevention is in all cases better than a re- 

 medy, it is actually necessary that every apiarian should 

 make himself acquainted with the principal signs which 

 display themselves when a hive is about to be pillaged. 



In the first place, a more than ordinary noise is heard 

 before the hive, and also throughout the whole of the 

 garden, and if the ear be placed to the hive, the noise within 

 resembles a loud hum, which arises from the motions of the 

 bees, some defending their provisions ; others robbing them, 

 and as those bees, which are to be seen entering in crowds, 

 come and depart with great glee and precipitation, the in- 

 creased noise is accounted for, which is heard in the garden. 



Battles and duels are then seen at the entrance of the 

 hive, which is besieged at all parts ; some bees enter in 

 haste, others depart with the utmost velocity, and almost all 

 of them are fighting, some to effect an entrance by force, 

 others to prevent it ; whilst others are busily engaged in 

 driving out those, who have already obtained admittance. 

 Some are observed in the pursuit of others, whom they 

 catch hold of by their hinder legs or their wings; and who, 

 knowing that their life is in jeopardy, are seen making every 

 effort to escape. Others fall upon those who arrive, and 

 often upon one of their own community, whom they are 

 prevented recognising from the anger by which they are 

 instigated, and to whom they seem disposed to give no 

 greater degree of cmarter than to the strangers. In fine, 

 it is on the whole a disorder, a confusion, a frightful carnage 

 before the entrance of this ill-fated hive, which scarcely 

 knows friend from foe, and the bees of which attack each 

 other without discrimination. 



When, therefore, several bees are seen hovering about, and 

 particularly before the entrance of the hive, and they are 

 seen to alight at times near the bees, which guard the 



