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CHAPTER XIV. 
ORGANS OF SOUND. 
Variatio7is of Soimd — Voice — Tones Produced — Wing-beats — 
Buzzing and Hummmg — Epiglottis — Stigmatic Vestibule — 
Vocal Membrane — ObtiD'ator Tendon afid Muscle — Stirrup 
— Descriptio7i of Sounds, 
Every bee - keeper knows that bees emit certain 
sounds, not only when they fly, but also at other 
times. Who has not noticed the particular music 
produced at swarming, or the whizz of an irritated 
bee when attempting to sting ? 
The variation the music of the bee is susceptible 
of in the expression of pleasure, fear, or anger, did not 
escape the attention of the great John Hunter (69). 
‘Hive bees,’ he says, ‘may be said to have a voice. 
They are certainly capable of forming several sounds. 
They give a sound when flying which they can vary ac- 
cording to circumstances. One accustomed to bees can 
immediately tell when a bee makes an attack by the 
sound, which is a very different noise from that of the 
wings when coming home of a fine evening loaded with 
farina or honey ; it is then a soft, contented noise 
They may also be seen at the door of their hive, with the 
belly rather raised, and moving their wings, making a 
noise.’ 
The drones can be recognised from the workers or 
queens by the difference of the sounds produced. 
That sounds are as varied as they are numerous 
will be admited ; we will therefore endeavour to 
show how they are produced. 
