THE APIARY. 
419 
flow was proved by the behaviour of the bees, for in a 
time of scarcity, with a temperature high enough for 
bees to fly, such an experiment would be the reverse 
of gratifying. Blossoms failing, the busy creatures try 
every cranny that smells of food to secure sweets, not 
for themselves — so let us not blame them overmuch — 
but for their progeny and their homes. A food-bottle 
exposed, if with only a trace of syrup, or a few drops of 
honey spilt, will now, possibly, work mischief, for a crowd 
soon gathers, each one eager to secure a load ; and 
the consequent fighting over the booty, with angry, 
high-pitched notes, is frequently the prelude of further 
trouble. The demoralised bees, having licked up the 
repast provided by carelessness or inadvertency, now 
cast about for riches in the bulk, which may be had 
for the taking; and soon dodging inquirers, tempted 
by the perfume, will be seeking at neighbouring doors 
to pass the guards. Well-conditioned stocks give the 
would-be robbers but little chance ; but the weak, the 
queenless, and broodless, are less vigilant and deter- 
mined, and, ere long, possibly, an organised attack 
has been commenced, and great excitement is accom- 
panied by continual tussles, in which twos and threes 
roll over the alighting-board to the ground, upon 
which several dead and dying may be seen. This may 
last even for a few days; but usually ‘‘the combat 
deepens” quickly, and, amidst an uproar which cannot 
now be easily quelled, the doomed stock is robbed 
out, the vanquished sometimes making common cause 
with their assailants, and assisting to carry off all that 
is removable to the robbers’ home, which they hence- 
forward adopt. 
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