ENEMIES OF THE BEE. 
83 
themselves both inside and outside of the en- 
trance ; those outside with their heads toward 
the door, those within with their heads in the 
opposite direction. They then imitate the ac- 
tion of flying, and in this way a powerful cur- 
rent of air is produced, and the hive kept in a 
pure and healthful state. The humming sound 
heard in a hive, especially on a warm day, is 
thus explained. 
The bee has many enemies, but its most dan- 
gerous foe is the bee-moth. This insect does not 
destroy the bee directly, as do its other enemies, 
but deposits its eggs in the hive, or in some crev- 
ice leading to it. After the eggs are hatched, the 
young grubs feed upon the comb. It is singular 
that this moth should brave alone the poisonous 
stings of the bees, but such is the case. On his 
approach, the bees seem paralyzed with fear ; 
they shake their wings, or, in response to the 
dread sound of the invader, they make a pecul- 
iar buzz of alarm. The moth fearlessly enters 
and eats of the honey while the frightened bees 
look on with trembling. But as soon as he has 
departed, they recover their courage, and take 
