But if the ocelli are intended for near objects, it is difficult to understand why they are surrounded by a growth of hair so dense as to permit unobstructed vision only in a very narrow field, and why they are so placed on the top of the head as to be debarred from seeing any objects in the neighborhood of the mandibles and the proboscis, the ability to see which objects would appear to be very necessary in the constant and delicate labors of the worker honey-bee among the flowers.
Dr. Zabriskie exhibited the head of the worker honey-bee for the purpose of illustrating the above remarks. At the conclusion of his observations, he added: “Besides the worker honey-bee, I have brought for exhibition the drone and the queen of the same species, and the queen-cells; the queen of _Bombus Virginicus_, one of our native humble-bees; the _Melissodes binotata_, male and female; the _Melissodes pruinosa_, both sexes; the beautiful _Anthophora dispar_, male and female of Tunis, Africa; and the celebrated little stingless bee of Abyssinia, the _Trigona Beccarii_, which lives in immense colonies, and stores large quantities of honey. The _Anthophora dispar_ has a very long proboscis. The possession of such a proboscis by our own bees would add millions of dollars annually to the wealth of the United States.”
We have to report a very heavy loss; at first one-third dead was supposed to cover the ground, but later reports will probably bring it nearer 50 per cent. The losses may briefly be accounted for, at least largely: by the failure of the honey crop after clover; consequent cessation of breeding and old bees ready for winter quarters; an unusual consumption of stores in the fall, followed by a severe winter. Men who stimulated breeding until a proper season, fed sufficient stores of the right kind and at the proper time, and properly packed their bees outside or had them in good cellars, were generally successful. Experienced beekeepers have generally been successful as they know and are careful about getting the proper conditions for successful wintering.
Martin Emyh, of Holbrook, wintered 178 out of 180; one winter he lost none out of 150 and his success is fully as great in summer management. He doubtless could give much information of value but we seldom hear of him in public.