ROBBERIES. 
145 
THEIR BATTLES. 
I will here describe some of their battles. I have 
in the spring frequently seen the whole front side of 
the hive covered with the combatants, (but for such 
hives I have no fears; they are able to defend them- 
selves.) Several will surround one stranger ; one or 
two will bite its legs, another the wings ; another will 
make a feint of stinging, while another is ready to 
take what honey it has, when worried sufficient to 
make it willing. It is sometimes allowed to go after 
yielding all its honey, but at others, is dispatched with 
a sting, which is almost instantly fatal. A bee is 
killed sooner by a sting, than by any other means, 
except crushing. Sometimes a leg will tremble, for a 
minute ; the legs ai^ drawn close to the body ; the 
abdomen contracts to half its usual size, unless filled 
with honey. I have known a pint accidentally to 
enter a neighboring stock, and be killed in five 
minutes. The only places the sting will penetrate a 
bee are the joints of the abdomen, legs, the neck, &c. 
I have occasionally seen one bee drag about the dead 
body of its victim, being unable to withdraw its sting 
from a joint in the leg. During the fight, if it be to 
keep off those in search of plunder, a few bees may 
be seen buzzing around in search of a place unguarded 
to enter the hive. If such is found, it alights and 
enters in a moment. At other times, when about to 
enter, it meets a soldier on duty, and is on the wing 
again in an instant. But another time it may be more 
unfortunate, and be nabbed by a policeman, when it 
7 
