THE HONEY-BEE. 
151 
This insect is of gigantic size, and is endowed with 
great strength, and it is conjectured by Huber to 
possess a faculty like that which lie supposes to reside 
in the Queen-bee, of emitting a certain sound which 
strikes the bees with terror, and thus enables it to 
extend its ravages with impunity. While in the cater- 
pillar state, it feeds on the leaves of the potato, and 
makes its appearance in its last and perfect state to- 
wards the end of summer. It is described as most 
injurious to the bees on the continent, and in some 
parts of Africa; fortunately it is seldom seen in 
this country.* Wasps, particularly those of the 
hornet species, are most destructive to bees. We 
have often observed one of these marauders enter a 
hive with fearless intrepidity, and, watching itsmotions 
through the glazed frame, have been astonished by its 
feats of strengtli and agility. In ascending the combs 
it is, of course, instantly attacked by the rightful in- 
habitants ; if one only venture to nssail it, the unfor- 
tunate bee has no chance of victory, and but little of 
escaping with life ; if five or six cluster round it, as 
is generally the case, and cling close to its body, en- 
deavouring to pierce it with their stings, their efforts 
are set at nought by the intrepid wasp, which struggles 
until unwearied obstinacy, rolls along the floor of the 
hive so closely enveloped in a mass of bees, that but 
little of its body is visible, and though at last it is 
forced by overwhelming numbers to take to flight, it 
flies off apparently uninjured from the conflict. These 
* A more detailed account of it will be found in that volume 
of the Naturalist’s Library which treats of British moths and 
hawk-moths, p. 133. 
