242 Mr. Knight on the Economy of Bees. 
and in the autumn I have frequently observed a great number 
of bees employed in carrying off this substance. They detached 
it from the tree with their forceps, and the little portion thus* 
obtained was then transferred by the first to the second leg, by 
which it was deposited on the thigh of the third : the farina 
of plants is collected and transferred in the same manner. 
This mixture of wax and turpentine did not, however, appear 
to have been employed in the formation of combs ; but only 
to attach the hive to the board on which it was placed, and 
probably to exclude other insects, and air during winter. 
Whilst the bees were employed in the collection of this sub- 
stance, I had many opportunities of observing the peaceful 
and patient disposition of them as individuals, which Mr. 
Hunter has also, in some measure, noticed. When one bee 
had collected its load, and was just prepared to take flight, 
another often came behind it, and despoiled it of all it had 
collected. A second, and even a third, load was collected and 
lost in the same manner, and still the patient insect pursued 
its labour, without betraying any symptoms of impatience, or 
resentment. When, however, the hive is approached, the bee 
appears often to be the most irritable of all animals ; but a cir- 
cumstance 1 have observed amongst another species of insects, 
whose habits are in many respects similar to those of bees, 
induces me to believe, that the readiness of the bees to attack 
those who approach their hives, does not in any degree spring 
either from the sense of injury or apprehensions of the indi- 
vidual, who makes the attack. If a nest of wasps be approached 
without alarming its inhabitants, and all communication be sud- 
denly cut off between those out of the nest, and those within 
it, no provocation will induce the former to defend their nest, 
