134 
SPRING. 
to enjoy tlie balmy air. As they come from their 
door, they pause a moment to rub their eyes, which 
have long been obscured in darkness. 
BEES MARK THEIR LOCATION ON LEAVING THE HIVE. 
They rise on the wing, but do not leave in a direct 
line, but immediately turn their heads towards the en- 
trance of their tenement, describing a circle of only a 
few inches at first, but enlarge as they recede, until 
an area of several rods have been viewed and marked. 
CHANGING STAND ATTENDED WITH LOSS. 
After a few excursions, when surrounding objects 
have become familiar, this precaution is not taken, and 
they leave in a direct line for their destination, and re- 
turn by their way-marks without difficulty. Man with 
his reason is guided on the same principles. There 
are a great many people who suppose the bee knows 
its hive by a kind of instinct, or is attracted towards 
it, like the steel to the magnet. At least, they act as 
if they did ; as they often move their bees a few rods, 
or feet, after the location is'thus marked, and what is 
the consequence ? The stocks are materially injured 
by loss of bees, and sometimes entirely ruined. Let 
us trace the cause. As I remarked, the bees have 
marked the location. They leave the hive without 
any precaution, as surrounding objects are familiar. 
They return to their old stand and find no home. If 
there is more than one stock, and the removal has 
been from four to twenty feet, some of the bees may 
find a hive, but just as liable to enter the wrong one 
