x 
208 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 
bees attack a single individual, not with a design to kill, 
but merely to rob: one seizes it by one leg, another by 
another; till perhaps there are two om each side, each 
having hold of a leg, or they bite its head or thorax. But 
as soon as the poor animal that is thus haled about and 
maltreated unfolds its tongue, one of the assailants goes 
and sucks it with its own, and is followed by the rest, 
who then let it go. These insects, however, in their or- 
dinary labours.are very kind and helpful to each other ; 
I have often seen two, at the same moment, visit the same 
flower, and very peaceably despoil it of its treasures, with- 
out any contention for the best share. 
As the poison of bees exhales a penetrating odour, M. 
Huber was curious to observe the effect it might produce 
upon them. Having extracted with pincers the sting of 
a bee and its appendages impregnated with poison, he pre- 
sented it to some workers, which were settled very tran- 
quilly before the gate of their mansion. Instantaneously 
the little party was alarmed; none however took flight, 
but two or three darted upon the poisoned instrument, 
and one angrily attacked the observer. When how- 
ever the poison was coagulated, they were not in the 
least affected by it—A tube impregnated with the odour 
of poison recently ejected being presented to them, affect- 
ed them in the same manner*. This circumstance may 
sometimes occasion battles amongst them, that are not 
otherwise easy to be accounted for. 
Anger is no useless or hurtful passion in bees: it is 
necessary to them for the preservation of themselves and 
their property, which, besides those of their own species, 
are exposed to the ravages of numerous enemies, Of 
* 1, 380— 
