16 BEE-CULTURE. 
does he face the enemy and pass “ vi et armis” directly into the hive, inas- 
much as the Bee-entrance is guarded by sentinels, whose business it is to 
demand a passport of all before they step upon forbidden ground. Could 
I be the owner of all the Bees (and they in good condition) which have 
been destroyed in this country by the Bee-moth, during the twenty 
years which are past, I should desire no greater fortune, or ask no 
further tribute from the mines of California. Buta way has been de- 
vised, which.I shall hereafter point out, to avoid all this mischief and 
ruin, and this device will no doubt constitute a new era in the history 
of Bee-culture. : 
CHAPTER III. 
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION. 
BrEEs are never known to live in a solitary state. They proceed 
upon the principle that it is not good for them to be alone. In this 
respect they differ widely in their habits from the wasp, the hornet and 
various kinds of flies. There is a reason for this which I do not recol- 
lect to have seen stated. The material which is used in the construc- 
tion of their nests or cells, is different from that which is employed for 
the same purpose, by solitary insects, and this material cannot be used 
except at a high degree of temperature. ‘The instruments to be em- 
ployed in comb-building, are small, and the wax must be softened, in 
order that it may be spread. A solitary Bee cannot come and deposit 
his quantum of wax, and thus enlarge the cell. The degree of warmth 
which is necessary for comb-building, is produced by the clustering 
together of the Bees. Their animal heat, when they collect together 
in a mass, 1s sufficient for this purpose. Hence we are able to under- 
stand why it is they cluster very compactly together, and remain quiet 
for the most part for several days after swarming, when the foundations 
are to be laid, and comb is to be built in their new home. The comb 
is built the most rapidly during the night, when all are at home, be- 
cause the temperature is then the highest, or the animal heat is the — 
greatest. It is observed that the temperature of the hive is at a higher 
point during the season of comb-building, than atany other’time. The 
