400 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
above the skep, so as to protect from rain, will 
be advantages. Bees are capable of instruction : 
if they have been taught the value of artificial 
pollen, and how to handle (?) it, by previous use, they 
will not be slow in utilising our gift ; but if not, 
they will probably pass it unnoticed, when they 
must be tempted by a bit of bruised comb containing 
honey, or by an old, dry piece, partially burned, to 
lure by its perfume, or even by a drop or two of oil 
of anise rubbed on the skep. Some have succeeded 
in inducing their bees to take artificial pollen by put- 
ting pea-flour into crocus cups, and so have palmed 
off the artificial for the natural ; but the amount of 
time this performance would require must rather 
amuse those who know the quantity that even a 
single stock well at work will carry — a German 
authority states this at 2lb. 
\\^hen a few bees, more adventurous than the 
rest, have got a taste, and have loaded up, the diffi- 
culty is overcome; the rest will follow, and soon a 
deep hum will be heard from hundreds of busy 
gatherers. They do not object to coat themselves 
completely, diving in the head, and getting a dusting 
on the under side of the thorax when they rise 
on the wing, in order, by the action of the legs^ to 
gather up and duly stow away the supply, which is 
made adhesive by addition of saliva from the extended 
tongue constantly passed between the front feet. Now 
a second dusting adds to the amount before secured, 
and which is already noticeable as small pellets stand- 
ing upon the so-called pollen-baskets (page 13 1, 
Vol. I.). Another dive or two, and they, fully 
