BEES AND WASPS — GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. 191 
resin, fastening down the animal to the wall of the hive, 
so that it died of starvation or want of air. If the en- 
casing of an animal (such as a mouse) with propolis is 
not sufficient to prevent its putiefaction, the bees gnaw 
away all the putrescible parts of the carcass and carry 
them out of the hive, leaving only the skeleton behind. 
The dead bodies of their companions are also carried out 
of the hive and deposited at a distance. There is no 
question about this fact (which it will be remembered is 
analogous to that already mentioned in the case of ants) ; 
according to Buchner, however, bees not only remove their 
dead, but also, occasionally at least, bury them. But as 
he gives very inadequate evidence in support of this asser- 
tion, we may safely set it aside as insufficiently proven. 
Buchner, however, gives an admirable summary, and 
makes some judicious remarks on the well-known and 
highly remarkable habit which bees practise for the 
obvious purpose of ventilating their hives. As this 
account gives all the facts in a brief compass, I cannot do 
better than quote it : — 
Very interesting, and closely connected with this character- 
istic of cleanliness, is the conduct of the so-called ventilating- 
bees, which have to take care that in summer or hot weather the 
air necessary for respiration of the bees in the interior of the 
hive is renewed, and the too high temperature cooled down. 
The latter precaution is necessary, not only on account of the 
bees working within the hive, to whom, as already said, a tem- 
perature risen beyond a certain point would be intolerable, but 
also to guard against the melting or softening of the wax. The 
bees charged with the care of the ventilation divide themselves 
into rows and stages in regular order through all parts of the 
hive, and by swift fanning of their wings send little currents of 
air in such fashion that a powerful stream or change of air 
passes through all parts of the hive. Other bees stand at the 
mouth of the hive, which fan in the same way and considerably 
accelerate the wind from within. The current of air thus caused 
is so strong that little bits of paper hung in front of the mouth 
are rapidly moved, and that, according to F. Huber, a lighted 
match is extinguished. The wind can be distinctly felt if the 
hand be held in front. 
The motion of the wings of the ventilating bees is so rapid 
that it is scarcely perceptible, and Huber saw some bees working 
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