260 BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 



to levy contributions on them there as extensively as 

 in the older States. The reason I assign for the 

 difference is, the nights are quite cool, when the 

 days are hot, sufficiently so to chill the miller and 

 retard her in her nocturnal excursions for depositing 

 eggs, as night is the time she selects for this purpose. 

 Another reason is, there is a continuous succession 

 of honey-producing flowers, keeping the bees en- 

 couraged, vigorous and healthy during the season 

 when most Infested by worms, and consequently they 

 will defend themselves more warmly against their 

 attacks. 



I noticed two peculiarities in the natural history 

 and habits of the bee in California. The first is, that 

 all young bees come to maturity from two to four 

 days sooner than they do in Pennsylvania. The 

 other, that the swarms have a much greater propen- 

 sity for flying away and seeking homes for themselves 

 than in the Atlantic States. These are problems for 

 naturalists to solve ; I merely state the facts, leaving 

 my readers to judge of the cause. 



