PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 119 
that they may insert their proboscis in the very place 
where nature has stored up her nectar*. M. Huber re- 
lates a singular anecdote of some hive-bees paying a visit 
to a nest of humble-bees placed under a box not far from 
their hive, in order to steal or beg their honey; which 
places in a strong light the good temper of the latter. 
This happened in a time of scarcity. The hive-bees, 
after pillaging, had taken almost entire possession of the 
nest. Some humble-bees which remained in spite of this 
disaster, went out to collect provisions; and bringing 
home the surplus after they had supplied their own im- 
mediate wants, the hive-bees followed them, and did not 
quit them till they had obtained the fruit of their labours. 
They licked them, presented to them their proboscis, 
surrounded them, and thus at last persuaded them to 
part with the contents of their honey-bags. The humble- 
bees after this flew away to collect a fresh supply. The 
hive-bees did them no harm, and never once showed their 
stings ;—so that it seems to have been persuasion rather 
than force that produced this singular instance of self- 
denial. ‘This remarkable manceuvre was practised for 
more than three weeks; when the wasps being attracted 
by the same cause, the humble-bees entirely forsook the 
mest”: 
The workers are the most numerous part of the com- 
munity, but are nothing when compared with the num- 
bers to be found in a vespiary or a beehive :—two or 
three hundred is a large population for a humble-bees 
4@Hub. Nouv. Observ. i. 375. » Ibid. 373— 
