196 
Psyche 
[December 
‘‘Would it not seem natural to conclude that she wishes to 
bring about total destruction? However, the species are con- 
served, the colonies multiply, the laws are not changed; on the 
contrary, it seems that is it by the sacrifice of a few that the 
conservation of the species is assured. Special observations 
show us that the hivebees only kill their males when the latter 
have become useless to their colony; they [the males] would 
consume a large quantity of provisions which the bees need for 
nourishment during the winter; and Nature prefers the con- 
servation of the industrious ones to that of the males which no 
longer render any service after the time of reproduction. 
“As for the pillage of the eggs of bumblebees, one must seek 
the cause further. 
“It doesn’t seem of any usefulness to the colony itself; for 
the eggs which are subject to the gluttony of the workers are as 
much the eggs of the workers as eggs of males and females. 
“But perhaps the Author of nature wished to diminish the 
number of ‘mellivores’ in that way. 
“The bumblebees are the largest insects that feed on honey; 
and if their number trebled or quadrupled, other insects would 
not find any nourislnnent, and perhaps their species would be 
destroyed. 
“This argument will have more force, if we notice with 
what care Nature has put limits on too great a population of 
bumblebees. These insects have several kinds of enemies; among 
others a pseudomoth and a big white caterpillar which feed on 
their wax, their pupae, and sometimes themselves; they are even 
burdened with a numerous family of lice which attach them- 
selves to their thorax, and which they carry off with them in the 
air.” 
Although describing the egg-eating habit of bumblebees in 
great detail, Hoffer (1882-83) offers no explanation of this 
habit. However, a few years later, the well-known French bee 
student Perez (1889), who was much interested in the observa- 
tions of Hoffer (1882-83), ventured to discuss this interesting 
question. After quoting a large part of Hoffer’s (I, pp. 12-14) 
description, Perez (p. 110 ff.) goes on to say: “But this return to 
better feelings [on the part of the workers] cannot make us forget 
