Natural History of the Honeybee. 43 



only consumers and not producers are reared, artificial foundation with the floors of worker- 

 cells pressed in may be hung in the hive. The instinct is thereby diverted, and the bees 

 erect worker-cella according to the wishes of the bee-keeper. In the hope of increasing 

 the size, and at the same time the capacity for production in workers, colonies have been 

 placed on foundation on which had been impressed cell-bottoms ii> size between those of 

 workers and drones. The bees built cells corresponding in size on this; but in spite of the 

 extra room for the developing brood the size of the workers remained exactly the same. 



THE PLAY INSTINCT IN BEES. 



Although I am decidedly of the opinion that there is to be noticed in the gay circling 

 of swarming bees at the same time the activity of certain play instincts, still proof is 

 certainly difficult, inasmuch as all the proceedings which come into consideration may be 

 led back exclusively to the swarming instinct, and can be explained only as an expression 

 of that instinct. After all, this strong pressing-forth from the entrance, this sounding of 

 the "joyful"- dear swarm-tone, which (as already mentioned) drags into the confusion 

 colonies nearly ready to swarm, these waves up and down in the sunshine in ' l drunken 

 lust" (swarm-dizziness\, all exhibit the playing activity of a certain surplus energy, and 

 therewith one of the fundamental elements of play. Schiller, as well as Herbert Spencer, 

 sees in play the expression solely of overflowing energy. I refer, therefore, to the ingenious 

 and interesting work of Karl Groos, 328 who, correctly, does not find complete satisfaction in 

 this interpretation, and who alludes to the great biological significance of the instincts 

 which are early manifested in pHy, and which perfect themselves in play. Groos does not 

 mention bees in his very comprehensive work, and yet we may mention, besides the swarm- 

 dance, where the play character may be doubted, a singular activity of bees, which, in my 

 opinion, shows undoubtedly true playing. Especially on warm summer evenings, but at 

 other times also, now and then on the outer walls of hives which are in good condition, near 

 the entrance or on the flight-board rows of bees may be seen moving to and fro in a 

 peculiar rhythmic way. As the head is held down it looks as if the ground were being 

 gnawed or licked in rhythm; but nothing of this kind takes place. A very characteristic 

 "contented" humming is audible. We doubtless have here in play the expression of a 

 feeling of comfort. 



Single bees are often seen not fitting into the common rhythm of the line, but I have 

 frequently noticed a gradual adaptation to the prevailing manner. It seems that there 

 must be a special pleasurable sensation in this common rhythmic movement or else it 

 itself and the apparent mutual adaptation would not take place. 



The whole interesting phenomenon seems to me clear, if we accept the idea of the 

 expression of a play instinct. It is known to every experienced bee-keeper, generally under 

 the name of swinging or planing (Hobeln). 180 



129 Karl Groos, Die Spiele der Tiere, Jena, 1896. (2. Aufl. 1907.) 



130 Schmid und Kleine, Leitfaden einer Ration. Bienenzucht, Nordlinger, 1865, etc. 



