158 
ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE. 
filled, when one or more are let out at places distant from each 
other, and the direction in each case in which the bee flies 
noted, and thus, by a kind of triangulation, the position of the 
bee-tree proximately ascertained. 
Those who have stored honey in their houses understand 
very well how important it is to prevent a single bee from dis- 
covering its location. Such discovery is sure to be followed by 
a general onslaught from the hive unless all means of access is 
prevented. It is possible that our American are more intelli- 
gent than European bees, but hardly probable ; and I certainly 
shall not ask an Englishman to admit it. Those in America 
who are in the habit of playing first, second, and third fiddle 
to instinct will probably attribute this seeming intelligence to 
that principle. 
According to De Fravi&re, bees have a number of differ- 
ent notes or tones which they emit from the stigmata of 
the thorax and abdomen, and by which they communicate 
information. He says : — 
As soon as a bee arrives with important news, it is at once 
surrounded, emits two or three shrill notes, and taps a com- 
rade with its long, flexible, and very slender feelers, or antennae. 
The friend passes on the news in similar fashion, and the intel - 
ligence soon traverses the whole hive. If it is of an agreeable 
kind — if, for instance, it concerns the discovery of a store of 
sugar or of honey, or of a flowering meadow — all remains 
orderly. But, on the other hand, great excitement arises if the 
news presages some threatened danger, or if strange animals 
are threatening invasion of the hive. It seems that such intel- 
ligence is conveyed first to the queen, as the most important 
person in the state. 
This account, which is quoted from Buchner, no 
doubt bears indications of imaginative colouring ; but if 
the observation as to the emission of sounds is correct — 
and, as we shall see, this point is well confirmed by other 
observers- — it is most likely concerned in communicating 
by tone a general idea of good or harm : probably in the 
former case it acts as a sign, ‘ follow me ; 9 and in the latter 
as a signal of danger. Buchner further says that, accord- 
ing to Laxxdois, if a saucer of honey is placed before a 
hive, a few bees come out, which emit a cry of tut, tut, 
tut. This note is rather shrill* and resembles the my of 
