Newark post., 1910-08-03
The Language Of
The Honey Bee
By REV. DIR. JOEL S. GILFlLLAN

Can bets talk? Well, | should say
they can. Some might argue that the
bees tongue does not swing right Tor
speech or the lips are not fiexlbie
enough or some other lack OF con-
formlty to the requirements OF speech.
But all the same, the bee can and does
communicate with other bees and with
the bee-keeper. The bee keeper will
soon learn some of the expressions II
he will keep his ears open, and 1t Will
be we'll for him to make it point to
become acquainted with the language
of the bee in the very early stages OF
his keeping experience, or he may
suffer on account of his ignorance.
What language does the bee speak!
WHY OF course, the universal Ian
guage No not Volupta, nor Esper-
auto; a better universal language than
either OF these, and one that is more
easily learned. do not think any
body has yet analyzed the language or
made any attempt to record its llml-
tations or its extent. While the knowl-
edge of the language is not merely
commercial, it is studied more for
the comfort and safety of the bee
keeper tan for any monetary value
Language is only series OF signs
thence signs have certain significance
to a certain number of people who
agree upon these signs, and who use
them often enough to keep them III
memory. But they are nothing to
other people outside Of that circle.
The different nations have different
set OF signs. And the language of any
nation changes. until a later genera
ton can scarcely understand the signs
OF their foreiathers.
The language of the bee has come
down through the ages in perfect pur-
ity. 1t is the same i'll America as in
Italy or in Egypt, And is the same
among all tribes OF bees-the Italian,
the Caucasian, the GSman-all speak
the same language with the same ac-
cent and the same tone.
A colony of bees presents the most
beautiful and perfect picture OF
happy and prosperous kingdom. A
kingdom where all take an active part
in the administration of the affairs OF
the kingdom and where all agree upon
an equable division OF labor and all
partake of the general prosperity. Such
a condition could not we'll exist in the
colony if the bees did not have some
way to communicate with each other.
Every bee-keeper soon becomes ac-
quainted with few of the phrases
which are of most frequent use among
the bees. The first experience that it
is wise for us to know and understand
is that of anger An angry bee like
an angry man or woman, should be
let aloiA, Whether the bee uses any
cuss words is not fully determined,
but the sound is just as distinct as
mans swearing is from his words and
tones OF love making. And when the
bees to to talking together in the
words and tones OF anger, it is best to
get away and let them alone. Some
times two colonies will get into
quarrel among themselves and are flav-
ing their own troubles lust as human
beings sometimes get into trouble with
one another, and the innocent bee
keeper comes along just at that time;
now ii he understands the language
of the bees he will not tarry long, but
if he should be ignorant OF the Ian
guage he might possibly get tangled
up i'll their little quarrel before he
knows it.
ing OF impending calamity is distinct
and easily recognized. This will be
given when approaching hive we
drive cloud of smoke across the en-
trance. The bees on Guard at the en-
trance turn into the hive with pecu-
liar sound we'll known to everv bee
keeper, and the whole COLONY is thrown
into cGsxmotion. If calamity overtakes
them their hope rests i'll being able to
re-establish themselves aittr the GALA
nifty is past. To do this it will be ne
cessary for them to be able to build
comb. To bui.d comb it is necessary
for them to have plenty OF honey. For
honey is the material from which
comb is built Consequently, when
the cry Of warning OF calamity comes
the worker bees dive into the cells and
fill themselves up with honey. This is
also the secret of being able TO handle
the bees The worker bees are the
ones that ordinarily would sting. but
now they are SO busy filling up with
honey that they take no notice of
you and there is little danger to be
feared from the other bees that go on
with the work of the hive as il moth
ing unusual was going on.
Another part OF their language that
is quite we'll understood, is the ex-
preston of sorrow.
If you should take the queen away
from a colony it would only be few
moments until every one of the $4,000
or more bees in the colony would know
it, and there would take place immed-
lately most sad scene. The bees
would set up wal of sorrow-the
sound OF sad and solemn dirae They
would run to and fro in disorder They
would run out OF their hive, climb its
sides and fly off as if seeking her in
the air, Both the sound and the sight
is clearly significant cf deep sorrow.
Again their expression of joy is just
as distinct Should you return the
queen to them, her return would be
Immediately heralded with evident de
light Their sorrow would be turned
into JOY, and the sound would indicate
the change as distinctly as any words
could express.
The language OF activity is also clear