BEE MANUAL. 55D 
events, much yet to be learned with regard to the true nature 
of these organs. 
SENSES OF HEARING AND SMELLING. 
Closely connected with the conjectures as to the uses of the 
antenne are those which many naturalists have made as to 
the organs of hearing and smelling in the honey-bee. That 
they are possessed of a keen sense of smell, as well as of taste 
is indisputable ; and that they are capable of hearing seems 
very probable, though still doubtful ; but through what organ 
these senses may be worked upon is only matter of conjecture. 
Huber suggested that the antennee might be organs of smell 
as well as touch ; Leltmann and Cuvier considered that the 
spiracles used for the purposes of respiration were also the 
means by which the sense of smell was exercised ; while 
Kirby and Spence incline to the belief that the organ lies 
somewhere in or near the mouth. We can only assert with 
certainty that bees have a very keen sense of smell, that they 
are attracted by the odour of flowers, honey, ete., and rendered 
furious by disagreeable odours, especially by the smell of their 
own sting-poison. As to their sense of hearing, it seems hard 
to believe that they are unconscious of such sounds as their 
own humming, so varied according to circumstances, or to the 
calls so distinctly made by young queens, and which appear to 
us to exercise such an influence on their conduct; still it is 
true that Sir J. Lubbock, who has tried so many experiments 
on the hearing of bees, with musical instruments, dog whistles, 
shrill pipes, etc., seems to have satisfied himself that no noise 
he could make, either harmonious or discordant, was capable 
of making any impression on them, or of disturbing them in 
the least. 
THE WINGS. 
It has been already stated that the honey-bee, like all insects 
of the order Hymenoptera, is provided with four membranous 
wings, springing from the thorax, of which the foremost, or 
primary wings, slide over and cover the hinder ones when at 
rest. This arrangement is of importance, as enabling the bee 
to enter without difficulty the narrow cells of the comb in order 
to stow honey and bee-bread, to feed the larve, etc., as well as to 
