BEE. 
431 
of the names of the persons who sent them, and 
likewise of the mark or number of the boat in which 
they were placed. 
Hector St. John, in his Letters, gives a curious 
account of the method by which he used to discover 
his lost bees in the woods of America. It appears 
from his observations, that it is easy to predict 
the time of their swarming, but very difficult to 
know, when on the wing, whether they intend to 
fly to the woods or not. If they have previously 
agreed to leave the place, and have found some hol- 
low trees to their mind, no art or allurement will 
induce them to stay. They will prefer the rude 
habitations they have chosen, to the best polished 
mahogany hive. 
We are assured by this gentleman, that he is cer- 
tain to retrace his bees, although they may wander 
eighteen miles from his house, and are lodged in 
the loftiest trees in the deepest recess of the forest. 
The plan which he pursues to discover fresh nests 
will apply equally well to the retracing of his old 
swarms, and is described by him as follows : 
“ After I have done sowing, by way of recre- 
ation I prepare for a week’s jaunt in the woods, not 
to hunt either the deer or the bears, as my neigh- 
bours do, but to catch the more harmless bees. I 
cannot boast that this chase is so noble or so famous 
among men ; but I find it less fatiguing, and full as 
profitable ; and the last consideration is the only 
one that moves me. I take with me my dog as a 
companion, for he is useless as to this game ; my 
