Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-01
Demonstration or the Hearing
Faculty Ia Bees.

lrfoni Longnans Masnzlne.J
Sir j. Lubbock. after many expert
nents on the power Of hearing in bees
and ants, states that he never could
satisfy himself that these insects heard
any sounds which he could produce.
In the case Of bees it would be great
surprise to many to hear that they
are absolutely incapable Of hearing,
and it must not be assumed that
they are so because experiments
have as yet yielded no satisfactory
result. From time immemorial it has
been the habit with rustic bee-keepers
at the time Of swsrming to invoke the
aid Of noise TO hasten the lighting Of
the bees. With some it takes the form
of drumming on q tin-kettle; others
beat candle-sticks together. or even put
their faith in the strains Of n concertina
or violin. Every one has his own the
DRY as to the object of this perform
ance. One does it to overpower the
hum Of the swarm, so that the individual
bees may think that they are left
alone and so make haste to alight. An
other does it TO keep the bees in the
neighborhood with the charms Of the
music, and third hopes to drown the
notes Of the guide which may be ready
to lead off the swarm to distant parts
previously explored i'll search Of an eli
gible spot to alight in. 1t is remark
able, however. that all agree in assuming
that the bees hear and are acted upon
by the noise produced.
Sir John Lubbock has recently tried
further series Of interesting expert
ments to decide the question as to how
far the power Of hearing is developed in
bees. To what extent music has power
to charm the bee or guide her instincts
may be judged from the result Of an
experiment Of which he read an account
at meeting Of the Linnean Society in
November, 1882.
Some honey was placed on q musical
box on his lawn, and the box was kept
going for fortnight, during which time
the bees regularly helped themselves to
the honey. The box and honey were
then removed out Of sight into the
house, and although placed near an
open window and only seven yards
from the previous position, the bees
failed to find the honey, although those
brought to it in it's new position sf-
terward found the way readily enough.
He, however, declines to say that bees
arc incapable Of hearing, and thinks it
not impossible that insects may per-
ceive higher notes than we can hear,
and may even possess sense, or per-
baps sensation, of which we can form
no idea for, although we have no spe-
cial organs adapted to certain sensa-
tons, there is no reason why it should
be the case with other animals, while
the problematical organs possessed by
some of the lower forms favor this sus-
gestion. He is Of opinion that the
sounds which bees hear may be not
the low, loud sounds, but the higher
oyertones at the verge Of or beyond
our range of hearing.
1t is, however, remarkable that bees
certainly do seem to hear on some oc-
casions. The note with which the old
queen threatens the royal brood as they
come to maturity and swarming time
comes, and so we'll known to apiarists un.
der the name of piping" can often be
distinctly heard some distance from the
hive, and it is evidently Ineligible to
the young queens, for they respond in
tones perfectly audible to the listener
Although bees will take no notice Of
a very loud noise even quite close to
the hive, it is, however, remarkable that
the slightest tap on the hive itself, or
any Of its attachments, or even heavy
tread some distance off, Immediately
| disturbs them.