Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1916-05-10
THE LANGUAGE OF
THE HONEY BEE
By Req. Joel S. Gillian

Note. The following article on
The Language of the Honey
Bee" by the Reverend Joel S. Gil
fillan appeared in the Post six
wears ago. The article attracted
much attention at the time, and
since then the auhor has received
numerous requests for his one
copy, which has quite worn out.
A few days ago DR.. Gilfillan was
visited by Mr.. John J. Darg,
Field Agent of the Department
Of Agriculture of Washington,
who was in search of information
on bees for the Department. A
letter, written by Mr.. Darg, indi-
eating his appreciation has been
received at this office. We there
! fore reprint the article in re-
Spouse to the interest of the pub
lie.
Can bees talk? Well, l should
say they can. Some might argue
that the bees tongue does not
swing right for speech or the
hips are not flexible enough or
some other lack of conformity to
THE requirements of speech. But
hall the same, the bee can and
docs communicate with other
bees and with the bee-keeper.
THE bee-keeper will soon learn
some of the expressions if he will
keep his ears open and it will be
well for him to make it a point to
become acquainted with the lam
guage of the bee in the very early
Stages of his Bookkeeping expert
ence, or he may suffer on account
bf his ignorance. What language
loes the bee speak? Why, of
tOurse, the universal language.
No, not Volupita, nor Esperanto;
! better universal language than
Either of these, and one that is
more easily learned. l do not
think anybody has yet analysed
The language or made any at
[$empt to record it's limitations or
is extent. While the knowledge
IF the language is not merely
commercial, it is studied more for
he comfort and safety of the
\ee-keeper than for any monetary
(alue that may be attached to it.
Language is only a series of
igns-thence signs have a GER
ain significance to certain
y lumber of people who agree upon
I hese signs, and who use them
= ften enough to keep them in
K bemory. But they are nothing
other people outside of that
rcle. The different nations have
different set of signs. And the
language of any nation changes
ntil a later generation can
LARGELY understand the signs of
heir forefathers.
The language of the bee has
#bme down through the ages in
erfect purity. 1t is the same in
Numerical as in Italy or Egypt. And
T. the same among all tribes of
Hes-the Italian, the Caucasian,
L be German-all speak the same
language with the same accent
bid the same tone.
e A colony of bees presents the
lost beautiful and perfect pic
re of a happy and prosperous
Kingdom. A kingdom where all
IKE an active part in the admin
Vibration of the affairs of the
hgdom and where all agree up
an equable division of labor
id all partake of the general
Prosperity. Such a condition
8Uld not we'll exist in the colony
II the bees did not have some way
communicate with each other.
8Every bee-keeper soon becomes
quainted with a few of the
rases which are of most fire.
lent use among the bees. The
st expression that it is wise for
to know and understand is that
anger. An angry bee like an
gry man or woman, should be
alone. Whether the bee uses
y cuss words is not fully deter
ned, but the sound is just as
etinct as a mans swearing is
pm his words and tones Of love
king. And when the bees are
king together in the words and
pes Of anger, it is best to get
(aT and let them alone. Some
pes two colonies will get into a
frrel among themselves and are
Vlng their own troubles just as
pan beings sometimes get into
ubIe with one another, and the
(ocent bee-keeper comes along
g. t,,4 L. Il