The Swarm 171 



accomplishing its evil design, "for it blows into the 

 entrance of the hive, and watches for and destroys them as 

 they fly out ! " 



This is more than can be claimed for modern toads, 

 though they do sometimes stand near the hives for the pur- 

 pose of appropriating stragglers. 



There are different opinions concerning the effect of 

 bee stings upon toads, some saying they do them no harm. 

 But an eye-witness relates the following tragic circum- 

 stance. A toad sitting in the sun suddenly cocked its eye 

 at a bee that alighted near it. After a second's hesitation it 

 shot forth its tongue and the bee disappeared, but not to 

 die inglorious and unavenged, for presently the toad 

 raised a protesting hand and rubbed its throat which at 

 once began to swell in an amazing manner. The toad 

 exhibited signs of the greatest distress and finally leaped 

 up and fell over on its back dead, — a very much bloated 

 and disfigured amphibian. 



This particular toad may have been uncommonly sensi- 

 tive to bee-poison, or the bee may have inserted its sting 

 directly into a blood-vessel. But whatever the cause there 

 is no question as to the result. 



Huish brings in a verdict of guilty against the toad by 

 relating that he once killed one under a hive and found 

 nineteen undigested bees in its stomach, while some one 

 else convicted a graceless batrachian of having swallowed 

 twenty. 



Columella advises constructing the hive so as to " guard 

 against the deceit and craft of the lizard, who, like a watch 

 or keeper of the entry, and gaping for his prey, with open 

 mouth destroys the bees as they go out." 



From the time of Aristotle wasps have been known as 

 the enemies of bees, and Thorley says of the hornet, — 



" She flies about the Colonies of Hives, watching her 



