Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-10-08

and zeal. Observing her laying eggs
in the comb next TO the glass "l the
hive, we gently but quickly opened the
panc, and endeavored to seize her
But as soon MS the removal OF the glass
afforded room (while shut il was almost
in contact with her back )-and, before
we could accomplish our purpose, they
threw their bodies upon her to the num-
Der of at least n hundred, and formed
cone over her Of such magnitude, that
she could not be less than two inches
distant from any part Of The suriace.-
We dispersed the mass with our hnger,
and got hold oi her precious person, aud
kept looking ut her for some minutes be-
fore we restored the captive TO her
alurmed defenders. 1t is remarkable
that this violence was not resented by
them; thong they coursed over our
hands in scores, while we kept hold of
their mistress, not one individual used its
sting. The all engrcssing subject was
the queen.
The mutual aversion of queens is a
striking feature in the natural history Of
this insect. Their mutual enmiy may
be said to be an inborn disposition with
them for no sooner has the first OF the
race on hive about 10 throw off Sc
cond swarm escaped from her own era
die, than she hurrics away ~ search OF
her rivals, and exerts herself with the
utmost eagerness TO destroy them.
Il The workers, to the number OF lO, 900
| 20, 900, and even 80 700, Constitute the
great mass OF the population, aud on
/ them dovolvc the whole labors Tor the
establishment. Theirs is the office Of
searching for and collecting the precious
iluid Which not only furnishes their daily
food, as well rs that Of their young, and
the surplus Of which is laid up for winter
stores, but also the materials iion which
they rear their beautiful combs. In the
little basket shaped cavity Of their hind
legs they bring home the pollen ol tar-
naceous dust of flowers, kneaded by the
help of the morning dew into tiny balls,
which forms an important ingredient in
the nourishnent Of the brood and also
the propolis or adhesive gum extracted d
from willows, &C., with which they at
tach their combs to the upper part and
sides of the hive, and stop every crevice
that might admit the winters cold.
/ The natural term Of the workers ex-
istence does not extend, we think, beyond
six or eight months.
| 1t is the opinion of DR.. Bevan that all
the bees brought into existence at the
| queens great laying in spring die before
winter. But many never reach that Pc
Rod. Showers of rain, violent blasts Of
wind, changes Of atmosphere, destroy
them in hundreds. la the clear, cold
mornings aud evenings Of autumn, their
eagerness for ioraging entices them a
broad early and late when lighting on
the ground, many are chilled and quickly
perish. Aud should they escape the
blighting atmosphere at the close Of au-
tumn, bright sunshine in II winter day,
when the ground perhaps is covered
with snow, brings them abroad in multi
tudes, and the half of them never return
The sole Office OF the male, or at least
the primary one is, to pair with the queen.
| He is the father OF the hive. Indolen,
and luxurious, he takes no part in the in.
ternal operations of the domicilc, and
never leaves it with view of sharing in
the labors of the field. When he does
venture abroad, it is only in the fines,
weather, and during the warmest part
Of the day. He is easily distinguished
from the workers by his larger size, by
his heavy motion in flight, and by his
loud humming sound. His life is ex-
tremely short.