首页 >出版文学> History of Animals>第10章
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  Ofeaglesthereareseveralspecies。Oneofthem,called'thewhite-tailedeagle',isfoundonlowlands,ingroves,andintheneighbourhoodofcities;somecallitthe'heron-killer'。Itisboldenoughtoflytomountainsandtheinteriorofforests。Theothereaglesseldomvisitgrovesorlow-lyingland。Thereisanotherspeciescalledthe'plangus';itrankssecondinpointofsizeandstrength;
  itlivesinmountaincombesandglens,andbymarshylakes,andgoesbythenameof'duck-killer'and'swart-eagle。'ItismentionedbyHomerinhisaccountofthevisitmadebyPriamtothetentofAchilles。ThereisanotherspecieswithblackPlumage,thesmallestbutboldestofallthekinds。Itdwellsonmountainsorinforests,andiscalled'theblack-eagle'or'thehare-killer';itistheonlyeaglethatrearsitsyoungandthoroughlytakesthemoutwithit。Itisswiftofflight,isneatandtidyinitshabits,tooproudforjealousy,fearless,quarrelsome;itisalsosilent,foritneitherwhimpersnorscreams。Thereisanotherspecies,thepercnopterus,verylarge,withwhitehead,veryshortwings,longtail-feathers,inappearancelikeavulture。Itgoesbythenameof'mountain-stork'
  or'half-eagle'。Itlivesingroves;hasallthebadqualitiesoftheotherspecies,andnoneofthegoodones;foritletsitselfbechasedandcaughtbytheravenandtheotherbirds。Itisclumsyinitsmovements,hasdifficultyinprocuringitsfood,preysondeadanimals,isalwayshungry,andatalltimeswhiningandscreaming。
  Thereisanotherspecies,calledthe'sea-eagle'or'osprey'。Thisbirdhasalargethickneck,curvedwings,andbroadtailfeathers;
  itlivesnearthesea,graspsitspreywithitstalons,andoften,frominabilitytocarryit,tumblesdownintothewater。Thereisanotherspeciescalledthe'true-bred';peoplesaythatthesearetheonlytrue-bredbirdstobefound,thatallotherbirds-eagles,hawks,andthesmallestbirds-areallspoiltbytheinterbreedingofdifferentspecies。Thetrue-bredeagleisthelargestofalleagles;
  itislargerthanthephene;ishalfaslargeagainastheordinaryeagle,andhasyellowplumage;itisseldomseen,asisthecasewiththeso-calledcymindis。Thetimeforaneagletobeonthewinginsearchofpreyisfrommiddaytoevening;inthemorninguntilthemarket-houritremainsonthenest。Inoldagetheupperbeakoftheeaglegrowsgraduallylongerandmorecrooked,andthebirddieseventuallyofstarvation;thereisafolklorestorythattheeagleisthuspunishedbecauseitoncewasamanandrefusedentertainmenttoastranger。Theeagleputsasideitssuperfluousfoodforitsyoung;forowingtothedifficultyinprocuringfooddaybyday,itattimesmaycomebacktothenestwithnothing。Ifitcatchamanprowlingaboutintheneighbourhoodofitsnest,itwillstrikehimwithitswingsandscratchhimwithitstalons。Thenestisbuiltnotonlowgroundbutonanelevatedspot,generallyonaninaccessibleledgeofacliff;itdoes,however,builduponatree。
  Theyoungarefeduntiltheycanfly;hereupontheparent-birdstopplethemoutofthenest,andchasethemcompletelyoutofthelocality。
  Thefactisthatapairofeaglesdemandsanextensivespaceforitsmaintenance,andconsequentlycannotallowotherbirdstoquarterthemselvesincloseneighbourhood。Theydonothuntinthevicinityoftheirnest,butgotoagreatdistancetofindtheirprey。Whentheeaglehascapturedabeast,itputsitdownwithoutattemptingtocarryitoffatonce;ifontrialitfindstheburdentooheavy,itwillleaveit。Whenithasspiedahare,itdoesnotswooponitatonce,butletsitgoonintotheopenground;neitherdoesitdescendtothegroundatoneswoop,butgoesgraduallydownfromhigherflightstolowerandlower:thesedevicesitadoptsbywayofsecurityagainstthestratagemofthehunter。Italightsonhighplacesbyreasonofthedifficultyitexperiencesinsoaringupfromthelevelground;itflieshighintheairtohavethemoreextensiveview;fromitshighflightitissaidtobetheonlybirdthatresemblesthegods。Birdsofprey,asarule,seldomalightuponrock,asthecrookednessoftheirtalonspreventsastablefootingonhardstone。Theeaglehuntshares,fawns,foxes,andingeneralallsuchanimalsashecanmasterwithease。Itisalong-livedbird,andthisfactmightbeinferredfromthelengthoftimeduringwhichthesamenestismaintainedinitsplace。
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  InScythiathereisfoundabirdaslargeasthegreatbustard。
  Thefemalelaystwoeggs,butdoesnothatchthem,buthidesthemintheskinofahareorfoxandleavesthemthere,and,whenitisnotinquestofprey,itkeepsawatchonthemonahightree;ifanymantriestoclimbthetree,itfightsandstrikeshimwithitswing,justaseaglesdo。
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  Theowlandthenight-ravenandallthebirdsseepoorlyinthedaytimeseektheirpreyinthenight,butnotallthenightthrough,butateveninganddawn。Theirfoodconsistsofmice,lizards,chafersandthelikelittlecreatures。Theso-calledphene,orlammergeier,isfondofitsyoung,providesitsfoodwithease,fetchesfoodtoitsnest,andisofakindlydisposition。Itrearsitsownyoungandthoseoftheeagleaswell;forwhentheeagleejectsitsyoungfromthenest,thisbirdcatchesthemupastheyfallandfeedsthem。Fortheeagle,bytheway,ejectstheyoungbirdsprematurely,beforetheyareabletofeedthemselves,ortofly。Itappearstodosofromjealousy;
  foritisbynaturejealous,andissoravenousastograbfuriouslyatitsfood;andwhenitdoesgrabatitsfood,itgrabsitinlargemorsels。Itisaccordinglyjealousoftheyoungbirdsastheyapproachmaturity,sincetheyaregettinggoodappetites,andsoitscratchesthemwithitstalons。Theyoungbirdsfightalsowithoneanother,tosecureamorseloffoodoracomfortableposition,whereuponthemother-birdbeatsthemandejectsthemfromthenest;theyoungonesscreamatthistreatment,andthephenehearingthemcatchesthemastheyfall。Thephenehasafilmoveritseyesandseesbadly,butthesea-eagleisverykeen-sighted,andbeforeitsyoungarefledgedtriestomakethemstareatthesun,andbeatstheonethatrefusestodoso,andtwistshimbackinthesun'sdirection;andifoneofthemgetswateryeyesintheprocess,itkillshim,andrearstheother。Itlivesnearthesea,andfeeds,ashasbeensaid,onsea-birds;wheninpursuitofthemitcatchesthemonebyone,watchingthemomentwhenthebirdrisestothesurfacefromitsdive。Whenasea-bird,emergingfromthewater,seesthesea-eagle,heinterrordivesunder,intendingtoriseagainelsewhere;theeagle,however,owingtoitskeennessofvision,keepsflyingafterhimuntilheeitherdrownsthebirdorcatcheshimonthesurface。Theeagleneverattacksthesebirdswhentheyareinaswarm,fortheykeephimoffbyraisingashowerofwater-dropswiththeirwings。
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  Thecepphusiscaughtbymeansofsea-foam;thebirdsnapsatthefoam,andconsequentlyfishermencatchitbysluicingwithshowersofsea-water。Thesebirdsgrowtobeplumpandfat;theirfleshhasagoododour,exceptingthehinderquarters,whichsmellofshoreweed。
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  Ofhawks,thestrongestisthebuzzard;thenextinpointofcourageisthemerlin;andthecircusranksthird;otherdiversekindsaretheasterias,thepigeon-hawk,andthepternis;thebroaded-wingedhawkiscalledthehalf-buzzard;othersgobythenameofhobby-hawk,orsparrow-hawk,or'smooth-feathered',or'toad-catcher'。
  Birdsofthislatterspeciesfindtheirfoodwithverylittledifficulty,andflutteralongtheground。Somesaythattherearetenspeciesofhawks,alldifferingfromoneanother。Onehawk,theysay,willstrikeandgrabthepigeonasitrestsontheground,butnevertouchitwhileitisinflight;anotherhawkattacksthepigeonwhenitispercheduponatreeoranyelevation,butnevertouchesitwhenitisonthegroundoronthewing;otherhawksattacktheirpreyonlywhenitisonthewing。Theysaythatpigeonscandistinguishthevariousspecies:sothat,whenahawkisanassailant,ifitbeonethatattacksitspreywhenthepreyisonthewing,thepigeonwillsitstill;ifitbeonethatattackssittingprey,thepigeonwillriseupandflyaway。
  InThrace,inthedistrictsometimescalledthatofCedripolis,menhuntforlittlebirdsinthemarsheswiththeaidofhawks。Themenwithsticksintheirhandsgobeatingatthereedsandbrushwoodtofrightenthebirdsout,andthehawksshowthemselvesoverheadandfrightenthemdown。Thementhenstrikethemwiththeirsticksandcapturethem。Theygiveaportionoftheirbootytothehawks;thatis,theythrowsomeofthebirdsupintheair,andthehawkscatchthem。
  IntheneighbourhoodofLakeMaeotis,itissaid,wolvesactinconcertwiththefishermen,andifthefishermendeclinetosharewiththem,theyteartheirnetsinpiecesastheyliedryingontheshoreofthelake。
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  Somuchforthehabitsofbirds。
  Inmarinecreatures,also,oneInmarinecreatures,also,onemayobservemanyingeniousdevicesadaptedtothecircumstancesoftheirlives。Fortheaccountscommonlygivenoftheso-calledfishing-frogarequitetrue;asarealsothosegivenofthetorpedo。
  Thefishing-froghasasetoffilamentsthatprojectinfrontofitseyes;theyarelongandthinlikehairs,andareroundatthetips;
  theylieoneitherside,andareusedasbaits。Accordingly,whentheanimalstirsupaplacefullofsandandmudandconcealsitselftherein,itraisesthefilaments,and,whenthelittlefishstrikeagainstthem,itdrawstheminunderneathintoitsmouth。Thetorpedonarcotizesthecreaturesthatitwantstocatch,overpoweringthembythepowerofshockthatisresidentinitsbody,andfeedsuponthem;italsohidesinthesandandmud,andcatchesallthecreaturesthatswiminitswayandcomeunderitsnarcotizinginfluence。Thisphenomenonhasbeenactuallyobservedinoperation。Thesting-rayalsoconcealsitself,butnotexactlyinthesameway。Thatthecreaturesgettheirlivingbythismeansisobviousfromthefactthat,whereastheyarepeculiarlyinactive,theyareoftencaughtwithmulletsintheirinterior,theswiftestoffishes。Furthermore,thefishing-frogisunusuallythinwhenheiscaughtafterlosingthetipsofhisfilaments,andthetorpedoisknowntocauseanumbnesseveninhumanbeings。Again,thehake,theray,theflat-fish,andtheangelfishburrowinthesand,andafterconcealingthemselvesanglewiththefilamentsontheirmouths,thatfishermencalltheirfishing-rods,andthelittlecreaturesonwhichtheyfeedswimuptothefilamentstakingthemforbitsofsea-weed,suchastheyfeedupon。
  Whereverananthias-fishisseen,therewillbenodangerouscreaturesinthevicinity,andsponge-diverswilldiveinsecurity,andtheycallthesesignal-fishes'holy-fish'。Itisasortofperpetualcoincidence,likethefactthatwhereversnailsarepresentyoumaybesurethereisneitherpignorpartridgeintheneighbourhood;forbothpigandpartridgeeatupthesnails。
  Thesea-serpentresemblesthecongerincolourandshape,butisoflesserbulkandmorerapidinitsmovements。Ifitbecaughtandthrownaway,itwillboreaholewithitssnoutandburrowrapidlyinthesand;itssnout,bytheway,issharperthanthatofordinaryserpents。Theso-calledsea-scolopendra,afterswallowingthehook,turnsitselfinsideoutuntilitejectsit,andthenitagainturnsitselfoutsidein。Thesea-scolopendra,liketheland-scolopendra,willcometoasavourybait;thecreaturedoesnotbitewithitsteeth,butstingsbycontactwithitsentirebody,liketheso-calledsea-nettle。Theso-calledfox-shark,whenitfindsithasswallowedthehook,triestogetridofitasthescolopendradoes,butnotinthesameway;inotherwords,itrunsupthefishing-line,andbitesitoffshort;itiscaughtinsomedistrictsindeepandrapidwaters,withnight-lines。
  Thebonitosswarmtogetherwhentheyespyadangerouscreature,andthelargestofthemswimroundit,andifittouchesoneoftheshoaltheytrytorepelit;theyhavestrongteeth。Amongstotherlargefish,alamia-shark,afterfallinginamongstashoal,hasbeenseentobecoveredwithwounds。
  Ofriver-fish,themaleofthesheat-fishisremarkablyattentivetotheyoung。Thefemaleafterparturitiongoesaway;themalestaysandkeepsonguardwherethespawnismostabundant,contentinghimselfwithkeepingoffallotherlittlefishesthatmightstealthespawnorfry,andthishedoesforfortyorfiftydays,untiltheyoungaresufficientlygrowntomakeawayfromtheotherfishesforthemselves。Thefishermencantellwhereheisonguard:
  for,inwardingoffthelittlefishes,hemakesarushinthewaterandgivesutterancetoakindofmutteringnoise。Heissoearnestintheperformanceofhisparentaldutiesthatthefishermenattimes,iftheeggsbeattachedtotherootsofwater-plantsdeepinthewater,dragthemintoasshallowaplaceaspossible;themalefishwillstillkeepbytheyoung,and,ifitsohappen,willbecaughtbythehookwhensnappingatthelittlefishthatcomeby;if,however,hebesensiblebyexperienceofthedangerofthehook,hewillstillkeepbyhischarge,andwithhisextremelystrongteethwillbitethehookinpieces。
  Allfishes,boththosethatwanderaboutandthosethatarestationary,occupythedistrictswheretheywerebornorverysimilarplaces,fortheirnaturalfoodisfoundthere。Carnivorousfishwandermost;andallfisharecarnivorouswiththeexceptionofafew,suchasthemullet,thesaupe,theredmullet,andthechalcis。
  Theso-calledpholisgivesoutamucousdischarge,whichenvelopsthecreatureinakindofnest。Ofshell-fish,andfishthatarefinless,thescallopmoveswithgreatestforceandtothegreatestdistance,impelledalongbysomeinternalenergy;themurexorpurple-fish,andothersthatresembleit,movehardlyatall。OutofthelagoonofPyrrhaallthefishesswiminwinter-time,exceptthesea-gudgeon;theyswimoutowingtothecold,forthenarrowwatersarecolderthantheoutersea,andonthereturnoftheearlysummertheyallswimbackagain。Inthelagoonnoscarusisfound,northritta,noranyotherspeciesofthespinyfish,nospotteddogfish,nospinydogfish,nosea-crawfish,nooctopuseitherofthecommonorthemuskykinds,andcertainotherfisharealsoabsent;butoffishthatarefoundinthelagoonthewhitegudgeonisnotamarinefish。Offishestheoviparousareintheirprimeintheearlysummeruntilthespawningtime;theviviparousintheautumn,asisalsothecasewiththemullet,theredmullet,andallsuchfish。IntheneighbourhoodofLesbos,thefishesoftheoutersea,orofthelagoon,bringforththeireggsoryounginthelagoon;sexualuniontakesplaceintheautumn,andparturitioninthespring。Withfishesofthecartilaginouskind,themalesandfemalesswarmtogetherintheautumnforthesakeofsexualunion;intheearlysummertheycomeswimmingin,andkeepapartuntilafterparturition;thetwosexesareoftentakenlinkedtogetherinsexualunion。
  Ofmolluscsthesepiaisthemostcunning,andistheonlyspeciesthatemploysitsdarkliquidforthesakeofconcealmentaswellasfromfear:theoctopusandcalamarymakethedischargesolelyfromfear。Thesecreaturesneverdischargethepigmentinitsentirety;andafteradischargethepigmentaccumulatesagain。Thesepia,ashasbeensaid,oftenusesitscolouringpigmentforconcealment;itshowsitselfinfrontofthepigmentandthenretreatsbackintoit;italsohuntswithitslongtentaclesnotonlylittlefishes,butoftentimesevenmullets。Theoctopusisastupidcreature,foritwillapproachaman'shandifitbeloweredinthewater;butitisneatandthriftyinitshabits:thatis,itlaysupstoresinitsnest,and,aftereatingupallthatiseatable,itejectstheshellsandsheathsofcrabsandshell-fish,andtheskeletonsoflittlefishes。Itseeksitspreybysochangingitscolourastorenderitlikethecolourofthestonesadjacenttoit;itdoessoalsowhenalarmed。Bysomethesepiaissaidtoperformthesametrick;thatis,theysayitcanchangeitscoloursoastomakeitresemblethecolourofitshabitat。Theonlyfishthatcandothisistheangelfish,thatis,itcanchangeitscolourliketheoctopus。Theoctopusasaruledoesnotlivetheyearout。Ithasanaturaltendencytorunoffintoliquid;for,ifbeatenandsqueezed,itkeepslosingsubstanceandatlastdisappears。Thefemaleafterparturitionispeculiarlysubjecttothiscolliquefaction;itbecomesstupid;iftossedaboutbywaves,itsubmitsimpassively;aman,ifhedived,couldcatchitwiththehand;itgetscoveredoverwithslime,andmakesnoefforttocatchitswontedprey。Themalebecomesleatheryandclammy。Asaproofthattheydonotliveintoasecondyearthereisthefactthat,afterthebirthofthelittleoctopusesinthelatesummerorbeginningofautumn,itisseldomthatalarge-sizedoctopusisvisible,whereasalittlebeforethistimeofyearthecreatureisatitslargest。Aftertheeggsarelaid,theysaythatboththemaleandthefemalegrowsooldandfeeblethattheyarepreyeduponbylittlefish,andwitheasedraggedfromtheirholes;
  andthatthiscouldnothavebeendonepreviously;theysayalsothatthisisnotthecasewiththesmallandyoungoctopus,butthattheyoungcreatureismuchstrongerthanthegrown-upone。Neitherdoesthesepialiveintoasecondyear。Theoctopusistheonlymolluscthatventuresontodryland;itwalksbypreferenceonroughground;itisfirmalloverwhenyousqueezeit,exceptingintheneck。Somuchforthemollusca。
  Itisalsosaidthattheymakeathinroughshellaboutthemlikeahardsheath,andthatthisismadelargerandlargerastheanimalgrowslarger,andthatitcomesoutofthesheathasthoughoutofadenordwellingplace。
  Thenautilusorargonautisapoulpeoroctopus,butonepeculiarbothinitsnatureanditshabits。Itrisesupfromdeepwaterandswimsonthesurface;itriseswithitsshelldown-turnedinorderthatitmayrisethemoreeasilyandswimwithitempty,butafterreachingthesurfaceitshiftsthepositionoftheshell。Inbetweenitsfeelersithasacertainamountofweb-growth,resemblingthesubstancebetweenthetoesofweb-footedbirds;onlythatwiththeselatterthesubstanceisthick,whilewiththenautilusitisthinandlikeaspider'sweb。Itusesthisstructure,whenabreezeisblowing,forasail,andletsdownsomeofitsfeelersalongsideasrudder-oars。Ifitbefrighteneditfillsitsshellwithwaterandsinks。Withregardtothemodeofgenerationandthegrowthoftheshellknowledgefromobservationisnotyetsatisfactory;theshell,however,doesnotappeartobetherefromthebeginning,buttogrowintheircasesasinthatofothershell-fish;neitherisitascertainedforcertainwhethertheanimalcanlivewhenstrippedoftheshell。
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  Ofallinsects,onemayalsosayofalllivingcreatures,themostindustriousaretheant,thebee,thehornet,thewasp,andinpointoffactallcreaturesakintothese;ofspiderssomearemoreskilfulandmoreresourcefulthanothers。Thewayinwhichantsworkisopentoordinaryobservation;howtheyallmarchoneaftertheotherwhentheyareengagedinputtingawayandstoringuptheirfood;
  allthismaybeseen,fortheycarryontheirworkevenduringbrightmoonlightnights。
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  Ofspidersandphalangiatherearemanyspecies。Ofthevenomousphalangiatherearetwo;onethatresemblestheso-calledwolf-spider,small,speckled,andtaperingtoapoint;itmoveswithleaps,fromwhichhabititisnicknamed'theflea':theotherkindislarge,blackincolour,withlongfrontlegs;itisheavyinitsmovements,walksslowly,isnotverystrong,andneverleaps。Ofalltheotherspecieswherewithpoison-vendorssupplythemselves,somegiveaweakbite,andothersneverbiteatall。Thereisanotherkind,comprisingtheso-calledwolf-spiders。Ofthesespidersthesmalloneweavesnoweb,andthelargeweavesarudeandpoorlybuiltoneonthegroundorondrystonewalls。Italwaysbuildsitsweboverhollowplacesinsideofwhichitkeepsawatchontheend-threads,untilsomecreaturegetsintothewebandbeginstostruggle,whenoutthespiderpounces。
  Thespeckledkindmakesalittleshabbywebundertrees。
  Thereisathirdspeciesofthisanimal,preeminentlycleverandartistic。Itfirstweavesathreadstretchingtoalltheexteriorendsofthefutureweb;thenfromthecentre,whichithitsuponwithgreataccuracy,itstretchesthewarp;onthewarpitputswhatcorrespondstothewoof,andthenweavesthewholetogether。Itsleepsandstoresitsfoodawayfromthecentre,butitisatthecentrethatitkeepswatchforitsprey。Then,whenanycreaturetouchesthewebandthecentreissetinmotion,itfirsttiesandwrapsthecreatureroundwiththreadsuntilitrendersithelpless,thenliftsitandcarriesitoff,and,ifithappenstobehungry,sucksoutthelife-juices——forthatisthewayitfeeds;but,ifitbenothungry,itfirstmendsanydamagedoneandthenhastensagaintoitsquestofprey。Ifsomethingcomesmeanwhileintothenet,thespideratfirstmakesforthecentre,andthengoesbacktoitsentangledpreyasfromafixedstartingpoint。Ifanyoneinjuresaportionoftheweb,itrecommencesweavingatsunriseoratsunset,becauseitischieflyattheseperiodsthatcreaturesarecaughtintheweb。Itisthefemalethatdoestheweavingandthehunting,butthemaletakesashareofthebootycaptured。
  Oftheskilfulspiders,weavingasubstantialweb,therearetwokinds,thelargerandthesmaller。Theonehaslonglegsandkeepswatchwhileswingingdownwardsfromtheweb:fromitslargesizeitcannoteasilyconcealitself,andsoitkeepsunderneath,sothatitspreymaynotbefrightenedoff,butmaystrikeupontheweb'suppersurface;thelessawkwardlyformedoneliesinwaitonthetop,usingalittleholeforalurking-place。Spiderscanspinwebsfromthetimeoftheirbirth,notfromtheirinteriorasasuperfluityorexcretion,asDemocritusavers,butofftheirbodyasakindoftree-bark,likethecreaturesthatshootoutwiththeirhair,asforinstancetheporcupine。Thecreaturecanattackanimalslargerthanitself,andenwrapthemwithitsthreads:inotherwords,itwillattackasmalllizard,runroundanddrawthreadsaboutitsmouthuntilitclosesthemouthup;thenitcomesupandbitesit。
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  Somuchforthespider。Ofinsects,thereisagenusthathasnoonenamethatcomprehendsallthespecies,thoughallthespeciesareakintooneanotherinform;itconsistsofalltheinsectsthatconstructahoneycomb:towit,thebee,andalltheinsectsthatresembleitinform。
  Thereareninevarieties,ofwhichsixaregregarious-thebee,theking-bee,thedronebee,theannualwasp,and,furthermore,theanthreneorhornet,andthetenthredoorground-wasp;threearesolitary-thesmallersiren,ofaduncolour,thelargersiren,blackandspeckled,andthethird,thelargestofall,thatiscalledthehumble-bee。Nowantsnevergoa-hunting,butgatherupwhatisreadytohand;thespidermakesnothing,andlaysupnostore,butsimplygoesa-huntingforitsfood;whilethebee——forweshallbyandbytreatoftheninevarieties——doesnotgoa-hunting,butconstructsitsfoodoutofgatheredmaterialandstoresitaway,forhoneyisthebee'sfood。Thisfactisshownbythebeekeepers'attempttoremovethecombs;forthebees,whentheyarefumigated,andaresufferinggreatdistressfromtheprocess,thendevourthehoneymostravenously,whereasatothertimestheyareneverobservedtobesogreedy,butapparentlyarethriftyanddisposedtolaybyfortheirfuturesustenance。Theyhavealsoanotherfoodwhichiscalledbee-bread;thisisscarcerthanhoneyandhasasweetfigliketaste;
  thistheycarryastheydothewaxontheirlegs。
  Veryremarkablediversityisobservedintheirmethodsofworkingandtheirgeneralhabits。Whenthehivehasbeendeliveredtothemcleanandempty,theybuildtheirwaxencells,bringinginthejuiceofallkindsofflowersandthe'tears'orexudingsapoftrees,suchaswillowsandelmsandsuchothersasareparticularlygiventotheexudationofgum。Withthismaterialtheybesmearthegroundwork,toprovideagainstattacksofothercreatures;thebee-keeperscallthisstuff'stop-wax'。Theyalsowiththesamematerialnarrowbyside-buildingtheentrancestothehiveiftheyaretoowide。Theyfirstbuildcellsforthemselves;thenfortheso-calledkingsandthedrones;forthemselvestheyarealwaysbuilding,forthekingsonlywhenthebroodofyoungisnumerous,andcellsforthedronestheybuildifasuperabundanceofhoneyshouldsuggesttheirdoingso。Theybuildtheroyalcellsnexttotheirown,andtheyareofsmallbulk;thedrones'cellstheybuildnearby,andtheselatterarelessinbulkthanthebee'scells。
  Theybeginbuildingthecombsdownwardsfromthetopofthehive,andgodownanddownbuildingmanycombsconnectedtogetheruntiltheyreachthebottom。Thecells,boththoseforthehoneyandthosealsoforthegrubs,aredouble-doored;fortwocellsarerangedaboutasinglebase,onepointingonewayandonetheother,afterthemannerofadoubleorhour-glass-shapedgoblet。Thecellsthatlieatthecommencementofthecombsandareattachedtothehives,totheextentoftwoorthreeconcentriccircularrows,aresmallanddevoidofhoney;thecellsthatarewellfilledwithhoneyaremostthoroughlylutedwithwax。Attheentrytothehivetheapertureofthedoorwayissmearedwithmitys;thissubstanceisadeepblack,andisasortofdrossorresidualby-productofwax;ithasapungentodour,andisacureforbruisesandsuppuratingsores。Thegreasystuffthatcomesnextispitch-wax;ithasalesspungentodourandislessmedicinalthanthemitys。Somesaythatthedronesconstructcombsbythemselvesinthesamehiveandinthesamecombthattheysharewiththebees;butthattheymakenohoney,butsubsist,theyandtheirgrubsalso,onthehoneymadebythebees。Thedrones,asarule,keepinsidethehive;whentheygooutofdoors,theysoarupintheairinastream,whirlingroundandroundinakindofgymnasticexercise;whenthisisover,theycomeinsidethehiveandfeedtorepletionravenously。Thekingsneverquitthehive,exceptinconjunctionwiththeentireswarm,eitherforfoodorforanyotherreason。Theysaythat,ifayoungswarmgoastray,itwillturnbackuponitsrouteandbytheaidofscentseekoutitsleader。Itissaidthatifheisunabletoflyheiscarriedbytheswarm,andthatifhediestheswarmperishes;andthat,ifthisswarmoutlivesthekingforawhileandconstructscombs,nohoneyisproducedandthebeessoondieout。
  Beesscrambleupthestalksofflowersandrapidlygatherthebees-waxwiththeirfrontlegs;thefrontlegswipeitoffontothemiddlelegs,andthesepassitontothehollowcurvesofthehind-legs;whenthusladen,theyflyawayhome,andonemayseeplainlythattheirloadisaheavyone。Oneachexpeditionthebeedoesnotflyfromaflowerofonekindtoaflowerofanother,butfliesfromoneviolet,say,toanotherviolet,andnevermeddleswithanotherfloweruntilithasgotbacktothehive;onreachingthehivetheythrowofftheirload,andeachbeeonhisreturnisaccompaniedbythreeorfourcompanions。Onecannotwelltellwhatisthesubstancetheygather,northeexactprocessoftheirwork。
  Theirmodeofgatheringwaxhasbeenobservedonolive-trees,asowingtothethicknessoftheleavesthebeesremainstationaryforaconsiderablewhile。Afterthisworkisover,theyattendtothegrubs。
  Thereisnothingtopreventgrubs,honey,anddronesbeingallfoundinoneandthesamecomb。Aslongastheleaderisalive,thedronesaresaidtobeproducedapartbythemselves;ifhebenolongerliving,theyaresaidtoberearedbythebeesintheirowncells,andunderthesecircumstancestobecomemorespirited:forthisreasontheyarecalled'sting-drones',notthattheyreallyhavestings,butthattheyhavethewishwithoutthepower,tousesuchweapons。
  Thecellsforthedronesarelargerthantheothers;sometimesthebeesconstructcellsforthedronesapart,butusuallytheyputtheminamongsttheirown;andwhenthisisthecasethebee-keeperscutthedrone-cellsoutofthecombs。
  Thereareseveralspeciesofbees,ashasbeensaid;twoof'kings',thebetterkindred,theotherblackandvariegated,andtwiceasbigastheworking-bee。Thebestworkingbeeissmall,round,andspeckled:anotherkindislongandlikeananthrenewasp;
  anotherkindiswhatiscalledtherobber-bee,blackandflat-bellied;
  thenthereisthedrone,thelargestofall,butdevoidofsting,andlazy。Thereisadifferencebetweentheprogenyofbeesthatinhabitcultivatedlandandofthosefromthemountains:theforest-beesaremoreshaggy,smaller,moreindustriousandmorefierce。Working-beesmaketheircombsalleven,withthesuperficialcoveringquitesmooth。Eachcombisofonekindonly:thatis,itcontainseitherbeesonly,orgrubsonly,ordronesonly;ifithappen,however,thattheymakeinoneandthesamecomballthesekindsofcells,eachseparatekindwillbebuiltinacontinuousrowrightthrough。Thelongbeesbuildunevencombs,withthelidsofthecellsprotuberant,likethoseoftheanthrene;grubsandeverythingelsehavenofixedplaces,butareputanywhere;fromthesebeescomeinferiorkings,alargequantityofdrones,andtheso-calledrobber-bee;theyproduceeithernohoneyatall,orhoneyinverysmallquantities。Beesbroodoverthecombsandsomaturethem;
  iftheyfailtodoso,thecombsaresaidtogobadandtogetcoveredwithasortofspider'sweb。Iftheycankeepbroodingoverthepartundamaged,thedamagedpartsimplyeatsitselfaway;iftheycannotsobrood,theentirecombperishes;inthedamagedcombssmallwormsareengendered,whichtakeonwingsandflyaway。Whenthecombskeepsettlingdown,thebeesrestorethelevelsurface,andputpropsunderneaththecombstogivethemselvesfreepassage-room;forifsuchfreepassagebelackingtheycannotbrood,andthecobwebscomeon。Whentherobber-beeandthedroneappear,notonlydotheydonoworkthemselves,buttheyactuallydamagetheworkoftheotherbees;iftheyarecaughtintheact,theyarekilledbytheworking-bees。Thesebeesalsokillwithoutmercymostoftheirkings,andespeciallykingsoftheinferiorsort;andthistheydoforfearamultiplicityofkingsshouldleadtoadismembermentofthehive。Theykillthemespeciallywhenthehiveisdeficientingrubs,andaswarmisnotintendedtotakeplace;underthesecircumstancestheydestroythecellsofthekingsiftheyhavebeenprepared,onthegroundthatthesekingsarealwaysreadytoleadoutswarms。Theydestroyalsothecombsofthedronesifafailureinthesupplybethreateningandthehiverunsshortofprovisions;undersuchcircumstancestheyfightdesperatelywithallwhotrytotaketheirhoney,andejectfromthehivealltheresidentdrones;andoftentimesthedronesaretobeseensittingapartinthehive。Thelittlebeesfightvigorouslywiththelongkind,andtrytobanishthemfromthehives;iftheysucceed,thehivewillbeunusuallyproductive,butifthebiggerbeesgetleftmistressesofthefieldtheypassthetimeinidleness,andnogoodatallbutdieoutbeforetheautumn。
  Whenevertheworking-beeskillanenemytheytrytodosooutofdoors;andwheneveroneoftheirownbodydies,theycarrythedeadbeeoutofdoorsalso。Theso-calledrobber-beesspoiltheirowncombs,and,iftheycandosounnoticed,enterandspoilthecombsofotherbees;iftheyarecaughtintheacttheyareputtodeath。Itisnoeasytaskforthemtoescapedetection,fortherearesentinelsonguardateveryentry;and,eveniftheydoescapedetectiononentering,afterwardsfromasurfeitoffoodtheycannotfly,butgorollingaboutinfrontofthehive,sothattheirchancesofescapearesmallindeed。Thekingsareneverthemselvesseenoutsidethehiveexceptwithaswarminflight:duringwhichtimealltheotherbeesclusteraroundthem。Whentheflightofaswarmisimminent,amonotonousandquitepeculiarsoundmadebyallthebeesisheardforseveraldays,andfortwoorthreedaysinadvanceafewbeesareseenflyingroundthehive;ithasneverasyetbeenascertained,owingtothedifficultyoftheobservation,whetherornothekingisamongthese。Whentheyhaveswarmed,theyflyawayandseparateofftoeachofthekings;ifasmallswarmhappenstosettleneartoalargeone,itwillshifttojointhislargeone,andifthekingwhomtheyhaveabandonedfollowsthem,theyputhimtodeath。Somuchforthequittingofthehiveandtheswarmflight。
  Separatedetachmentsofbeesaretoldofffordiverseoperations;thatis,somecarryflower-produce,otherscarrywater,otherssmoothandarrangethecombs。Abeecarrieswaterwhenitisrearinggrubs。Nobeeeversettlesonthefleshofanycreature,orevereatsanimalfood。Theyhavenofixeddateforcommencingwork;butwhentheirprovenderisforthcomingandtheyareincomfortabletrim,andbypreferenceinsummer,theysettowork,andwhentheweatherisfinetheyworkincessantly。
  Thebee,whenquiteyoungandinfactonlythreedaysold,aftersheddingitschrysalis-case,beginstoworkifitbewellfed。Whenaswarmissettling,somebeesdetachthemselvesinsearchoffoodandreturnbacktotheswarm。Inhivesthatareingoodconditiontheproductionofyoungbeesisdiscontinuedonlyforthefortydaysthatfollowthewintersolstice。Whenthegrubsaregrown,thebeesputfoodbesidethemandcoverthemwithacoatingofwax;and,assoonasthegrubisstrongenough,heofhisownaccordbreaksthelidandcomesout。Creaturesthatmaketheirappearanceinhivesandspoilthecombstheworking-beesclearout,buttheotherbeesfromsheerlazinesslookwithindifferenceondamagedonetotheirproduce。
  Whenthebee-masterstakeoutthecombs,theyleaveenoughfoodbehindforwinteruse;ifitbesufficientinquantity,theoccupantsofthehivewillsurvive;ifitbeinsufficient,then,iftheweatherberough,theydieonthespot,butifitbefair,theyflyawayanddesertthehive。Theyfeedonhoneysummerandwinter;buttheystoreupanotherarticleoffoodresemblingwaxinhardness,whichbysomeiscalledsandarace,orbee-bread。Theirworstenemiesarewaspsandthebirdsnamedtitmice,andfurthermoretheswallowandthebee-eater。Thefrogsinthemarshalsocatchthemiftheycomeintheirwaybythewater-side,andforthisreasonbee-keeperschasethefrogsfromthepondsfromwhichthebeestakewater;theydestroyalsowasps'nests,andthenestsofswallows,intheneighbourhoodofthehives,andalsothenestsofbee-eaters。Beeshavefearonlyofoneanother。Theyfightwithoneanotherandwithwasps。Awayfromthehivetheyattackneithertheirownspeciesnoranyothercreature,butinthecloseproximityofthehivetheykillwhatevertheygetholdof。Beesthatstingdiefromtheirinabilitytoextractthestingwithoutatthesametimeextractingtheirintestines。True,theyoftenrecover,ifthepersonstungtakesthetroubletopressthestingout;
  butonceitlosesitsstingthebeemustdie。Theycankillwiththeirstingsevenlargeanimals;infact,ahorsehasbeenknowntohavebeenstungtodeathbythem。Thekingsaretheleastdisposedtoshowangerortoinflictasting。Beesthatdieareremovedfromthehive,andineverywaythecreatureisremarkableforitscleanlyhabits;inpointoffact,theyoftenflyawaytoadistancetovoidtheirexcrementbecauseitismalodorous;and,ashasbeensaid,theyareannoyedbyallbadsmellsandbythescentofperfumes,somuchsothattheystingpeoplethatuseperfumes。
  Theyperishfromanumberofaccidentalcauses,andwhentheirkingsbecometoonumerousandtryeachtocarryawayaportionoftheswarm。
  Thetoadalsofeedsonbees;hecomestothedoorwayofthehive,puffshimselfoutashesitsonthewatch,anddevoursthecreaturesastheycomeflyingout;thebeescaninnowayretaliate,butthebee-keepermakesapointofkillinghim。
  Asfortheclassofbeethathasbeenspokenofasinferiororgood-for-nothing,andasconstructingitscombssoroughly,somebee-keeperssaythatitistheyoungbeesthatactsofrominexperience;andthebeesofthecurrentyeararetermedyoung。Theyoungbeesdonotstingastheothersdo;anditisforthisreasonthatswarmsmaybesafelycarried,asitisofyoungbeesthattheyarecomposed。Whenhoneyrunsshorttheyexpelthedrones,andthebee-keeperssupplythebeeswithfigsandsweet-tastingarticlesoffood。Theelderbeesdotheindoorwork,andareroughandhairyfromstayingindoors;theyoungbeesdotheoutercarrying,andarecomparativelysmooth。Theykillthedronesalsowhenintheirworktheyareconfinedforroom;thedrones,bytheway,liveintheinnermostrecessofthehive。Ononeoccasion,whenahivewasinapoorcondition,someoftheoccupantsassailedaforeignhive;provingvictoriousinacombattheytooktocarryingoffthehoney;whenthebee-keepertriedtokillthem,theotherbeescameoutandtriedtobeatofftheenemybutmadenoattempttostingtheman。
  Thediseasesthatchieflyattackprosperoushivesarefirstofalltheclerus-thisconsistsinagrowthoflittlewormsonthefloor,fromwhich,astheydevelop,akindofcobwebgrowsovertheentirehive,andthecombsdecay;anotherdiseasedconditionisindicatedinalassitudeonthepartofthebeesandinmalodorousnessofthehive。Beesfeedonthyme;andthewhitethymeisbetterthanthered。Insummertheplaceforthehiveshouldbecool,andinwinterwarm。Theyareveryapttofallsickiftheplanttheyareatworkonbemildewed。Inahighwindtheycarryastonebywayofballasttosteadythem。Ifastreambenearathand,theydrinkfromitandfromitonly,butbeforetheydrinktheyfirstdeposittheirload;
  iftherebenowaternearathand,theydisgorgetheirhoneyastheydrinkelsewhere,andatoncemakeofftowork。Therearetwoseasonsformakinghoney,springandautumn;thespringhoneyissweeter,whiter,andineverywaybetterthantheautumnhoney。Superiorhoneycomesfromfreshcomb,andfromyoungshoots;theredhoneyisinferior,andowesitsinferioritytothecombinwhichitisdeposited,justaswineisapttobespoiledbyitscask;
  consequently,oneshouldhaveitlookedtoanddried。Whenthethymeisinflowerandthecombisfull,thehoneydoesnotharden。Thehoneythatisgoldeninhueisexcellent。Whitehoneydoesnotcomefromthymepureandsimple;itisgoodasasalveforsoreeyesandwounds。Poorhoneyalwaysfloatsonthesurfaceandshouldbeskimmedoff;thefineclearhoneyrestsbelow。Whenthefloralworldisinfullbloom,thentheymakewax;consequentlyyoumustthentakethewaxoutofthehive,fortheygotoworkonnewwaxatonce。Theflowersfromwhichtheygatherhoneyareasfollows:thespindle-tree,themelilot-clover,king's-spear,myrtle,flowering-reed,withy,andbroom。Whentheyworkatthyme,theymixinwaterbeforesealingupthecomb。Ashasbeenalreadystated,theyalleitherflytoadistancetodischargetheirexcrementormakethedischargeintoonesinglecomb。Thelittlebees,ashasbeensaid,aremoreindustriousthanthebigones;theirwingsarebattered;theircolourisblack,andtheyhaveaburnt-upaspect。Gaudyandshowybees,likegaudyandshowywomen,aregood-for-nothings。
  Beesseemtotakeapleasureinlisteningtoarattlingnoise;andconsequentlymensaythattheycanmusterthemintoahivebyrattlingwithcrockeryorstones;itisuncertain,however,whetherornotheycanhearthenoiseatallandalsowhethertheirprocedureisduetopleasureoralarm。Theyexpelfromthehiveallidlersandunthrifts。Ashasbeensaid,theydifferentiatetheirwork;somemakewax,somemakehoney,somemakebee-bread,someshapeandmouldcombs,somebringwatertothecellsandmingleitwiththehoney,someengageinout-of-doorwork。Atearlydawntheymakenonoise,untilsomeoneparticularbeemakesabuzzingnoisetwoorthreetimesandtherebyawakestherest;hereupontheyallflyinabodytowork。Byandbytheyreturnandatfirstarenoisy;thenthenoisegraduallydecreases,untilatlastsomeonebeefliesroundabout,makingabuzzingnoise,andapparentlycallingontheotherstogotosleep;thenallofasuddenthereisadeadsilence。
  Thehiveisknowntobeingoodconditionifthenoiseheardwithinitisloud,andifthebeesmakeaflutterastheygooutandin;foratthistimetheyareconstructingbrood-cells。Theysuffermostfromhungerwhentheyrecommenceworkafterwinter。Theybecomesomewhatlazyifthebee-keeper,inrobbingthehive,leavebehindtoomuchhoney;stilloneshouldleavecellsnumerousinproportiontothepopulation,forthebeesworkinaspiritlesswayiftoofewcombsareleft。Theybecomeidlealso,asbeingdispirited,ifthehivebetoobig。Ahiveyieldstothebee-keepersixorninepintsofhoney;aprosperoushivewillyieldtwelveorfifteenpints,exceptionallygoodhiveseighteen。Sheepand,ashasbeensaid,waspsareenemiestothebees。Bee-keepersentrapthelatter,byputtingaflatdishonthegroundwithpiecesofmeatonit;whenanumberofthewaspssettleonit,theycoverthemwithalidandputthedishanditscontentsonthefire。Itisagoodthingtohaveafewdronesinahive,astheirpresenceincreasestheindustryoftheworkers。Beescantelltheapproachofroughweatherorofrain;andtheproofisthattheywillnotflyaway,butevenwhileitisasyetfinetheygoflutteringaboutwithinarestrictedspace,andthebee-keeperknowsfromthisthattheyareexpectingbadweather。Whenthebeesinsidethehivehangclusteringtooneanother,itisasignthattheswarmisintendingtoquit;consequently,occasion,whenabee-keepers,onseeingthis,besprinklethehivewithsweetwine。Itisadvisabletoplantaboutthehivespear-trees,beans,Median-grass,Syrian-grass,yellowpulse,myrtle,poppies,creeping-thyme,andalmond-trees。
  Somebee-keeperssprinkletheirbeeswithflour,andcandistinguishthemfromotherswhentheyareatworkoutofdoors。Ifthespringbelate,oriftherebedroughtorblight,thengrubsareallthefewerinthehives。Somuchforthehabitsofbees。
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  Ofwasps,therearetwokinds。Ofthesekindsoneiswildandscarce,livesonthemountains,engendersgrubsnotundergroundbutonoak-trees,islarger,longer,andblackerthantheotherkind,isinvariablyspeckledandfurnishedwithasting,andisremarkablycourageous。Thepainfromitsstingismoreseverethanthatcausedbytheothers,fortheinstrumentthatcausesthepainislarger,inproportiontoitsownlargersize。Thesewildliveoverintoasecondyear,andinwintertime,whenoakshavebeenincourseoffelling,theymaybeseencomingoutandflyingaway。Theylieconcealedduringthewinter,andliveintheinterioroflogsofwood。
  Someofthemaremother-waspsandsomeareworkers,aswiththetamerkind;butitisbyobservationofthetamewaspsthatonemaylearnthevariedcharacteristicsofthemothersandtheworkers。Forinthecaseofthetamewaspsalsotherearetwokinds;oneconsistsofleaders,whoarecalledmothers,andtheotherofworkers。Theleadersarefarlargerandmilder-temperedthantheothers。Theworkersdonotliveoverintoasecondyear,butalldiewhenwintercomeson;andthiscanbeproved,foratthecommencementofwintertheworkersbecomedrowsy,andaboutthetimeofthewintersolsticetheyareneverseenatall。Theleaders,theso-calledmothers,areseenallthroughthewinter,andliveinholesunderground;formenwhenploughingordigginginwinterhaveoftencomeuponmother-wasps,butneveruponworkers。Themodeofreproductionofwaspsisasfollows。Attheapproachofsummer,whentheleadershavefoundashelteredspot,theytaketomouldingtheircombs,andconstructtheso-calledsphecons,-littlenestscontainingfourcellsorthereabouts,andintheseareproducedworking-waspsbutnotmothers。Whenthesearegrownup,thentheyconstructotherlargercombsuponthefirst,andthenagaininlikemannerothers;sothatbythecloseofautumntherearenumerouslargecombsinwhichtheleader,theso-calledmother,engendersnolongerworking-waspsbutmothers。Thesedevelophighupinthenestaslargegrubs,incellsthatoccuringroupsoffourorrathermore,prettymuchinthesamewayaswehaveseenthegrubsoftheking-beestobeproducedintheircells。Afterthebirthoftheworking-grubsinthecells,theleadersdonothingandtheworkershavetosupplythemwithnourishment;andthisisinferredfromthefactthattheleadersoftheworking-waspsnolongerflyoutatthistime,butrestquietlyindoors。Whethertheleadersoflastyearafterengenderingnewleadersarekilledbythenewbrood,andwhetherthisoccursinvariablyorwhethertheycanliveforalongertime,hasnotbeenascertainedbyactualobservation;neithercanwespeakwithcertainty,asfromobservation,astotheageattainedbythemother-wasporbythewildwasps,orastoanyothersimilarphenomenon。Themother-waspisbroadandheavy,fatterandlargerthantheordinarywasp,andfromitsweightnotverystrongonthewing;thesewaspscannotflyfar,andforthisreasontheyalwaysrestinsidethenest,buildingandmanagingitsindoorarrangements。Theso-calledmother-waspsarefoundinmostofthenests;itisamatterofdoubtwhetherornotheyareprovidedwithstings;inallprobability,liketheking-bees,theyhavestings,butneverprotrudethemforoffence。Oftheordinarywaspssomearedestituteofstings,likethedrone-bees,andsomeareprovidedwiththem。Thoseunprovidedtherewitharesmallerandlessspiritedandneverfight,whiletheothersarebigandcourageous;andtheselatter,bysome,arecalledmales,andthestingless,females。Attheapproachofwintermanyofthewaspsthathavestingsappeartolosethem;butwehavenevermetaneyewitnessofthisphenomenon。
  Waspsaremoreabundantintimesofdroughtandinwildlocalities。
  Theyliveunderground;theircombstheymouldoutofchipsandearth,eachcombfromasingleorigin,likeakindofroot。Theyfeedoncertainflowersandfruits,butforthemostpartonanimalfood。Someofthetamewaspshavebeenobservedwhensexuallyunited,butitwasnotdeterminedwhetherboth,orneither,hadstings,orwhetheronehadastingandtheotherhadnot;wildwaspshavebeenseenundersimilarcircumstances,whenonewasseentohaveastingbutthecaseoftheotherwasleftundetermined。Thewasp-grubdoesnotappeartocomeintoexistencebyparturition,forattheoutsetthegrubistoobigtobetheoffspringofawasp。Ifyoutakeawaspbythefeetandlethimbuzzwiththevibrationofhiswings,waspsthathavenostingswillflytowardit,andwaspsthathavestingswillnot;fromwhichfactitisinferredbysomethatonesetaremalesandtheotherfemales。Inholesinthegroundinwinter-timewaspsarefound,somewithstings,andsomewithout。
  Somebuildcells,smallandfewinnumber;othersbuildmanyandlargeones。Theso-calledmothersarecaughtatthechangeofseason,mostlyonelm-trees,whilegatheringasubstancestickyandgumlike。A
  largenumberofmother-waspsarefoundwheninthepreviousyearwaspshavebeennumerousandtheweatherrainy;theyarecapturedinprecipitousplaces,orinverticalcleftsintheground,andtheyallappeartobefurnishedwithstings。
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  Somuchforthehabitsofwasps。
  Anthrenaedonotsubsistbycullingfromflowersasbeesdo,butforthemostpartonanimalfood:forthisreasontheyhoveraboutdung;fortheychasethelargeflies,andaftercatchingthemlopofftheirheadsandflyawaywiththerestofthecarcases;theyarefurthermorefondofsweetfruits。Suchistheirfood。Theyhavealsokingsorleaderslikebeesandwasps;andtheirleadersarelargerinproportiontothemselvesthanarewasp-kingstowaspsorbee-kingstobees。Theanthrena-king,likethewasp-king,livesindoors。Anthrenaebuildtheirnestsunderground,scrapingoutthesoillikeants;forneitheranthrenaenorwaspsgooffinswarmsasbeesdo,butsuccessivelayersofyounganthrenaekeeptothesamehabitat,andgoonenlargingtheirnestbyscrapingoutmoreandmoreofsoil。Thenestaccordinglyattainsagreatsize;infact,fromaparticularlyprosperousnesthavebeenremovedthreeandevenfourbasketsfullofcombs。Theydonot,likebees,storeupfood,butpassthewinterinatorpidcondition;thegreaterpartofthemdieinthewinter,butitisuncertainwhetherthatcanbesaidofthemall,Inthehivesofbeesseveralkingsarefoundandtheyleadoffdetachmentsinswarms,butintheanthrena'snestonlyonekingisfound。Whenindividualanthrenaehavestrayedfromtheirnest,theyclusteronatreeandconstructcombs,asmaybeoftenseenabove-ground,andinthisnesttheyproduceaking;whenthekingisfull-grown,heleadsthemawayandsettlesthemalongwithhimselfinahiveornest。Withregardtotheirsexualunions,andthemethodoftheirreproduction,nothingisknownfromactualobservation。Amongbeesboththedronesandthekingsarestingless,andsoarecertainwasps,ashasbeensaid;butanthrenaeappeartobeallfurnishedwithstings:though,bytheway,itwouldwellbeworthwhiletocarryoutinvestigationastowhethertheanthrena-kinghasastingornot。
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  Humble-beesproducetheiryoungunderastone,rightontheground,inacoupleofcellsorlittlemore;inthesecellsisfoundanattemptathoney,ofapoordescription。Thetenthredonisliketheanthrena,butspeckled,andaboutasbroadasabee。Beingepicuresastotheirfood,theyfly,oneatatime,intokitchensandontoslicesoffishandthelikedainties。Thetenthredonbringsforth,likethewasp,underground,andisveryprolific;itsnestismuchbiggerandlongerthanthatofthewasp。Somuchforthemethodsofworkingandthehabitsoflifeofthebee,thewasp,andalltheothersimilarinsects。
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  Asregardsthedispositionortemperofanimals,ashasbeenpreviouslyobserved,onemaydetectgreatdifferencesinrespecttocourageandtimidity,asalso,evenamongwildanimals,inregardtotamenessandwildness。Thelion,whileheiseating,ismostferocious;butwhenheisnothungryandhashadagoodmeal,heisquitegentle。Heistotallydevoidofsuspicionornervousfear,isfondofrompingwithanimalsthathavebeenrearedalongwithhimandtowhomheisaccustomed,andmanifestsgreataffectiontowardsthem。Inthechase,aslongasheisinview,hemakesnoattempttorunandshowsnofear,butevenifhebecompelledbythemultitudeofthehunterstoretreat,hewithdrawsdeliberately,stepbystep,everynowandthenturninghisheadtoregardhispursuers。If,however,hereachwoodedcover,thenherunsatfullspeed,untilhecomestoopenground,whenheresumeshisleisurelyretreat。When,intheopen,heisforcedbythenumberofthehunterstorunwhileinfullview,hedoesrunatthetopofhisspeed,butwithoutleapingandbounding。
  Thisrunningofhisisevenlyandcontinuouslykeptupliketherunningofadog;butwhenheisinpursuitofhispreyandisclosebehind,hemakesasuddenpounceuponit。Thetwostatementsmaderegardinghimarequitetrue;theonethatheisespeciallyafraidoffire,asHomerpictureshimintheline-'andglowingtorches,which,thoughfiercehedreads,'-andtheother,thathekeepsasteadyeyeuponthehunterwhohitshim,andflingshimselfuponhim。Ifahunterhithim,withouthurtinghim,thenifwithaboundhegetsholdofhim,hewilldohimnoharm,notevenwithhisclaws,butaftershakinghimandgivinghimafrightwilllethimgoagain。Theyinvadethecattle-foldsandattackhumanbeingswhentheyaregrownoldandsobyreasonofoldageandthediseasedconditionoftheirteethareunabletopursuetheirwontedprey。Theylivetoagoodoldage。
  Thelionwhowascapturedwhenlame,hadanumberofhisteethbroken;
  whichfactwasregardedbysomeasaproofofthelongevityoflions,ashecouldhardlyhavebeenreducedtothisconditionexceptatanadvancedage。Therearetwospeciesoflions,theplump,curly-maned,andthelong-bodied,straightmaned;thelatterkindiscourageous,andtheformercomparativelytimid;sometimestheyrunawaywiththeirtailbetweentheirlegs,likeadog。Alionwasonceseentobeonthepointofattackingaboar,buttorunawaywhentheboarstiffenedhisbristlesindefence。Itissusceptibleofhurtfromawoundintheflank,butonanyotherpartofitsframewillendureanynumberofblows,anditsheadisespeciallyhard。
  Wheneveritinflictsawound,eitherbyitsteethoritsclaws,thereflowsfromthewoundedpartssuppuratingmatter,quiteyellow,andnottobestanchedbybandageorsponge;thetreatmentforsuchawoundisthesameasthatforthebiteofadog。
  Thethos,orcivet,isfondofman'scompany;itdoeshimnoharmandisnotmuchafraidofhim,butitisanenemytothedogandthelion,andconsequentlyisnotfoundinthesamehabitatwiththem。Thelittleonesarethebest。Somesaythattherearetwospeciesoftheanimal,andsomesay,three;thereareprobablynotmorethanthree,but,asisthecasewithcertainofthefishes,birds,andquadrupeds,thisanimalchangesinappearancewiththechangeofseason。Hiscolourinwinterisnotthesameasitisinsummer;insummertheanimalissmooth-haired,inwinterheisclothedinfur。
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  ThebisonisfoundinPaeoniaonMountMessapium,whichseparatesPaeoniafromMaedica;andthePaeonianscallitthemonapos。
  Itisthesizeofabull,butstouterinbuild,andnotlonginthebody;itsskin,stretchedtightonaframe,wouldgivesittingroomforsevenpeople。Ingeneralitresemblestheoxinappearance,exceptthatithasamanethatreachesdowntothepointoftheshoulder,asthatofthehorsereachesdowntoitswithers;butthehairinitsmaneissofterthanthehairinthehorse'smane,andclingsmoreclosely。Thecolourofthehairisbrown-yellow;themanereachesdowntotheeyes,andisdeepandthick。Thecolourofthebodyishalfred,halfashen-grey,likethatoftheso-calledchestnuthorse,butrougher。Ithasanundercoatofwoollyhair。Theanimalisnotfoundeitherveryblackorveryred。Ithasthebellowofabull。Itshornsarecrooked,turnedinwardstowardseachotheranduselessforpurposesofself-defence;theyareaspanbroad,oralittlemore,andinvolumeeachhornwouldholdaboutthreepintsofliquid;theblackcolourofthehornisbeautifulandbright。Thetuftofhairontheforeheadreachesdowntotheeyes,sothattheanimalseesobjectsoneitherflankbetterthanobjectsrightinfront。Ithasnoupperteeth,asisthecasealsowithkineandallotherhornedanimals。Itslegsarehairy;itiscloven-footed,andthetail,whichresemblesthatoftheox,seemsnotbigenoughforthesizeofitsbody。Ittossesupdustandscoopsoutthegroundwithitshooves,likethebull。Itsskinisimpervioustoblows。Owingtothesavourofitsfleshitissoughtforinthechase。Whenitiswoundeditrunsaway,andstopsonlywhenthoroughlyexhausted。Itdefendsitselfagainstanassailantbykickingandprojectingitsexcrementtoadistanceofeightyards;thisdeviceitcaneasilyadoptoverandoveragain,andtheexcrementissopungentthatthehairofhunting-dogsisburntoffbyit。Itisonlywhentheanimalisdisturbedoralarmedthatthedunghasthisproperty;whentheanimalisundisturbedithasnoblisteringeffect。Somuchfortheshapeandhabitsoftheanimal。Whentheseasoncomesforparturitionthemothersgivebirthtotheiryoungintroopsuponthemountains。Beforedroppingtheiryoungtheyscattertheirdunginalldirections,makingakindofcircularrampartaroundthem;fortheanimalhasthefacultyofejectingexcrementinmostextraordinaryquantities。
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  Ofallwildanimalsthemosteasilytamedandthegentlestistheelephant。Itcanbetaughtanumberoftricks,thedriftandmeaningofwhichitunderstands;as,forinstance,itcantaughttokneelinpresenceoftheking。Itisverysensitive,andpossessedofanintelligencesuperiortothatofotheranimals。Whenthemalehashadsexualunionwiththefemale,andthefemalehasconceived,themalehasnofurtherintercoursewithher。
  Somesaythattheelephantlivesfortwohundredyears;
  others,foronehundredandtwenty;thatthefemalelivesnearlyaslongasthemale;thattheyreachtheirprimeabouttheageofsixty,andthattheyaresensitivetoinclementweatherandfrost。Theelephantisfoundbythebanksofrivers,butheisnotariveranimal;hecanmakehiswaythroughwater,aslongasthetipofhistrunkcanbeabovethesurface,forheblowswithhistrunkandbreathesthroughit。Theanimalisapoorswimmerowingtotheheavyweightofhisbody。
  47
  Themalecameldeclinesintercoursewithitsmother;ifhiskeepertriescompulsion,heevincesdisinclination。Ononeoccasion,whenintercoursewasbeingdeclinedbytheyoungmale,thekeepercoveredoverthemotherandputtheyoungmaletoher;but,whenaftertheintercoursethewrappinghadbeenremoved,thoughtheoperationwascompletedandcouldnotberevoked,stillbyandbyhebithiskeepertodeath。AstorygoesthatthekingofScythiahadahighly-bredmare,andthatallherfoalsweresplendid;thatwishingtomatethebestoftheyoungmaleswiththemother,hehadhimbroughttothestallforthepurpose;thattheyounghorsedeclined;
  that,afterthemother'sheadhadbeenconcealedinawrapperhe,inignorance,hadintercourse;andthat,whenimmediatelyafterwardsthewrapperwasremovedandtheheadofthemarewasrenderedvisible,theyounghorseranwayandhurledhimselfdownaprecipice。
  48
  Amongthesea-fishesmanystoriesaretoldaboutthedolphin,indicativeofhisgentleandkindlynature,andofmanifestationsofpassionateattachmenttoboys,inandaboutTarentum,Caria,andotherplaces。Thestorygoesthat,afteradolphinhadbeencaughtandwoundedoffthecoastofCaria,ashoalofdolphinscameintotheharbourandstoppedthereuntilthefishermanlethiscaptivegofree;
  whereupontheshoaldeparted。Ashoalofyoungdolphinsisalways,bywayofprotection,followedbyalargeone。Ononeoccasionashoalofdolphins,largeandsmall,wasseen,andtwodolphinsatalittledistanceappearedswimminginunderneathalittledeaddolphinwhenitwassinking,andsupportingitontheirbacks,tryingoutofcompassiontopreventitsbeingdevouredbysomepredaceousfish。
  Incrediblestoriesaretoldregardingtherapidityofmovementofthiscreature。Itappearstobethefleetestofallanimals,marineandterrestrial,anditcanleapoverthemastsoflargevessels。Thisspeedischieflymanifestedwhentheyarepursuingafishforfood;
  then,ifthefishendeavourstoescape,theypursuehimintheirravenoushungerdowntodeepwaters;but,whenthenecessaryreturnswimisgettingtoolong,theyholdintheirbreath,asthoughcalculatingthelengthofit,andthendrawthemselvestogetherforaneffortandshootuplikearrows,tryingtomakethelongascentrapidlyinordertobreathe,andintheefforttheyspringrightovertheaship'smastsifashipbeinthevicinity。Thissamephenomenonisobservedindivers,whentheyhaveplungedintodeepwater;thatis,theypullthemselvestogetherandrisewithaspeedproportionaltotheirstrength。Dolphinslivetogetherinpairs,maleandfemale。Itisnotknownforwhatreasontheyrunthemselvesagroundondryland;atallevents,itissaidthattheydosoattimes,andfornoobviousreason。
  49
  Justaswithallanimalsachangeofactionfollowsachangeofcircumstance,soalsoachangeofcharacterfollowsachangeofaction,andoftensomeportionsofthephysicalframeundergoachange,occursinthecaseofbirds。Hens,forinstance,whentheyhavebeatenthecockinafight,willcrowlikethecockandendeavourtotreadhim;thecrestrisesupontheirheadandthetail-feathersontherump,sothatitbecomesdifficulttorecognizethattheyarehens;insomecasesthereisagrowthofsmallspurs。Onthedeathofahenacockhasbeenseentoundertakethematernalduties,leadingthechickensaboutandprovidingthemwithfood,andsointentuponthesedutiesastoceasecrowingandindulginghissexualpropensities。Somecock-birdsarecongenitallysofemininethattheywillsubmitpatientlytoothermaleswhoattempttotreadthem。
  50
  Someanimalschangetheirformandcharacter,notonlyatcertainagesandatcertainseasons,butinconsequenceofbeingcastrated;andallanimalspossessedoftesticlesmaybesubmittedtothisoperation。Birdshavetheirtesticlesinside,andoviparousquadrupedsclosetotheloins;andofviviparousanimalsthatwalksomehavetheminside,andmosthavethemoutside,butallhavethematthelowerendofthebelly。Birdsarecastratedattherumpatthepartwherethetwosexesuniteincopulation。Ifyouburnthistwiceorthricewithhotirons,then,ifthebirdbefull-grown,hiscrestgrowssallow,heceasestocrow,andforegoessexualpassion;
  butifyoucauterizethebirdwhenyoung,noneofthesemaleattributespropensitieswillcometohimashegrowsup。Thecaseisthesamewithmen:ifyoumutilatetheminboyhood,thelater-growinghairnevercomes,andthevoiceneverchangesbutremainshigh-pitched;iftheybemutilatedinearlymanhood,thelategrowthsofhairquitthemexceptthegrowthonthegroin,andthatdiminishesbutdoesnotentirelydepart。Thecongenitalgrowthsofhairneverfallout,foraeunuchnevergrowsbald。Inthecaseofallcastratedormutilatedmalequadrupedsthevoicechangestothefemininevoice。Allotherquadrupedswhencastrated,unlesstheoperationbeperformedwhentheyareyoung,invariablydie;butinthecaseofboars,andintheircaseonly,theageatwhichtheoperationisperformedproducesnodifference。Allanimals,ifoperatedonwhentheyareyoung,becomebiggerandbetterlookingthantheirunmutilatedfellows;iftheybemutilatedwhenfull-grown,theydonottakeonanyincreaseofsize。Ifstagsbemutilated,when,byreasonoftheirage,theyhaveasyetnohorns,theynevergrowhornsatall;iftheybemutilatedwhentheyhavehorns,thehornsremainunchangedinsize,andtheanimaldoesnotlosethem。Calvesaremutilatedwhenayearold;otherwise,theyturnoutuglierandsmaller。Steersaremutilatedinthefollowingway:theyturntheanimaloveronitsback,cutalittleoffthescrotumatthelowerend,andsqueezeoutthetesticles,thenpushbacktherootsofthemasfarastheycan,andstopuptheincisionwithhairtogiveanoutlettosuppuratingmatter;ifinflammationensues,theycauterizethescrotumandputonaplaster。Ifafull-grownbullbemutilated,hecanstilltoallappearanceunitesexuallywiththecow。Theovariesofsowsareexcisedwiththeviewofquenchinginthemsexualappetitesandofstimulatinggrowthinsizeandfatness。Thesowhasfirsttobekepttwodayswithoutfood,and,afterbeinghungupbythehindlegs,itisoperatedon;theycutthelowerbelly,abouttheplacewheretheboarshavetheirtesticles,foritistherethattheovarygrows,adheringtothetwodivisionsorhorns
  ofthewomb;theycutoffalittlepieceandstitchuptheincision。
  Femalecamelsaremutilatedwhentheyarewantedforwarpurposes,andaremutilatedtopreventtheirbeinggotwithyoung。SomeoftheinhabitantsofUpperAsiahaveasmanyasthreethousandcamels:
  whentheyrun,theyrun,inconsequenceofthelengthoftheirstride,muchquickerthanthehorsesofNisaea。Asageneralrule,mutilatedanimalsgrowtoagreaterlengththantheunmutilated。
  Allanimalsthatruminatederiveprofitandpleasurefromtheprocessofrumination,astheydofromtheprocessofeating。Itistheanimalsthatlacktheupperteeththatruminate,suchaskine,sheep,andgoats。Inthecaseofwildanimalsnoobservationhasbeenpossible;saveinthecaseofanimalsthatareoccasionallydomesticated,suchasthestag,andit,weknow,chewsthecud。Allanimalsthatruminategenerallydosowhenlyingdownontheground。
  Theycarryontheprocesstothegreatestextentinwinter,andstall-fedruminantscarryitonforaboutsevenmonthsintheyear;
  beaststhatgoinherds,astheygettheirfoodoutofdoors,ruminatetoalesserdegreeandoveralesserperiod。Some,also,oftheanimalsthathaveteethinbothjawsruminate;as,forinstance,thePonticmice,andthefishwhichfromthehabitisbysomecalled'theRuminant',aswellasotherfish。
  Long-limbedanimalshaveloosefaeces,andbroad-chestedanimalsvomitwithcomparativefacility,andtheseremarksare,inageneralway,applicabletoquadrupeds,birds,andmen。
  49B
  Aconsiderablenumberofbirdschangeaccordingtoseasonthecolouroftheirplumageandtheirnote;as,forinstance,theowselbecomesyellowinsteadofblack,anditsnotegetsaltered,forinsummerithasamusicalnoteandinwinteradiscordantchatter。Thethrushalsochangesitscolour;aboutthethroatitismarkedinwinterwithspeckleslikeastarling,insummerdistinctlyspotted:
  however,itneveraltersitsnote。Thenightingale,whenthehillsaretakingonverdure,singscontinuallyforfifteendaysandfifteennights;afterwardsitsings,butnotcontinuously。Assummeradvancesithasadifferentsong,notsovariedasbefore,norsodeep,norsointricatelymodulated,butsimple;italsochangesitscolour,andinItalyaboutthisseasonitgoesbyadifferentname。Itgoesintohiding,andisconsequentlyvisibleonlyforabriefperiod。
  Theerithacusorredbreastandtheso-calledredstartchangeintooneanother;theformerisawinterbird,thelatterasummerone,andthedifferencebetweenthemispracticallylimitedtothecolorationoftheirplumage。Inthesamewaywiththebeccaficoandtheblackcap;
  thesechangeintooneanother。Thebeccaficoappearsaboutautumn,andtheblackcapassoonasautumnhasended。Thesebirds,also,differfromoneanotheronlyincolourandnote;thatthesebirds,twoinname,areoneinrealityisprovedbythefactthatattheperiodwhenthechangeisinprogresseachonehasbeenseenwiththechangeasyetincomplete。Itisnotsoverystrangethatinthesecasesthereisachangeinnoteandinplumage,foreventhering-doveceasestocooinwinter,andrecommencescooingwhenspringcomesin;inwinter,however,whenfineweatherhassucceededtoverystormyweather,thisbirdhasbeenknowntogiveitscooingnote,totheastonishmentofsuchaswereacquaintedwithitsusualwintersilence。
  Asageneralrule,birdssingmostloudlyandmostdiverselyinthepairingseason。Thecuckoochangesitscolour,anditsnoteisnotclearlyheardforashorttimeprevioustoitsdeparture。ItdepartsabouttherisingoftheDog-star,anditreappearsfromspringtimetotherisingoftheDog-star。Attheriseofthisstarthebirdcalledbysomeoenanthedisappears,andreappearswhenitissetting:thuskeepingclearatonetimeofextremecold,andatanothertimeofextremeheat。Thehoopoealsochangesitscolourandappearance,asAeschylushasrepresentedinthefollowinglines:-
  TheHoopoe,witnesstohisowndistress,IscladbyZeusinvariabledress:-
  Nowagaymountain-bird,withknightlycrest,Nowinthewhitehawk'ssilverplumagedrest,For,timelychanging,onthehawk'swhitewingHegreetstheapparitionoftheSpring。
  Thustwofoldformandcolourareconferred,Inyouthandage,upontheselfsamebird。
  Thespangledraimentmarkshisyouthfuldays,Theargenthismaturitydisplays;
  AndwhenthefieldsareyellowwithripecornAgainhisparticolouredplumesareworn。
  Butevermore,insullendiscontent,Heseeksthelonelyhills,inself-soughtbanishment。
  Ofbirds,sometakeadust-bathbyrollingindust,sometakeawater-bath,andsometakeneithertheonebathnortheother。
  Birdsthatdonotflybutkeeponthegroundtakethedust-bath,asforinstancethehen,thepartridge,thefrancolin,thecrestedlark,thepheasant;someofthestraight-talonedbirds,andsuchasliveonthebanksofariver,inmarshes,orbythesea,takeawater-bath;somebirdstakeboththedust-bathandthewaterbath,asforinstancethepigeonandthesparrow;ofthecrooked-talonedbirdsthegreaterparttakeneithertheonebathnortheother。Somuchforthewaysoftheabove-mentioned,butsomebirdshaveapeculiarhabitofmakinganoiseattheirhinderquarters,as,forinstance,theturtle-dove;andtheymakeaviolentmovementoftheirtailsatthesametimethattheyproducethispeculiarsound-
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