Aristotle's History of Animals: In Ten BooksAristotle
PhilosophyPhilosophy
Aristotle's History of Animals: In Ten Books
Aristotle
Zoology -- Pre-Linnaean works
3. When some of the wild bees wander from the nest, they turn aside
to some material and form another nest, such as are often seen on the
surface of the soil, and in this they work themselves out a ruler;
and when he is grown he goes out and leads them with him to take
possession of a nest, in which they may dwell. No one has ever made any
observation on the mode of sexual intercourse in the wild bee, nor on
the origin of their offspring. Among bees the drones and kings have no
stings, and some of the wasps also are without stings, as it has been
remarked already; but all the wild bees appear to have stings, but more
accurate inquiry should be instituted as to the rulers, whether they
have stings or not.
CHAPTER XXX.
The humble bees produce their young under stones on the surface of
the ground in two or a few more cells. The commencement of a kind of
inferior honey is found in them. The tenthredo is like the wild bee,
but it is variegated, and as broad as the bee. It is a dainty creature,
and the only one which resorts to kitchens, and enjoys fish and such
like things. It deposits its young under the earth like the wasps. It
is a very productive creature, and its nest is much larger and longer
than that of the wasp. This is the nature of the work and economy of
bees, wasps, and their congeners.
CHAPTER XXXI.
1. It has been already observed that we can distinguish a difference in
the dispositions of animals, especially in the courage and cowardice,
and then in their mildness and fierceness, even in wild animals. The
lion in his manner of feeding is very cruel; but when he is not hungry,
and is full fed, his disposition is gentle. He is not either jealous
or suspicious. He is fond of playing with and affectionate towards
those animals which have been brought up with him, and to which he has
become accustomed. When hunted, he has never been seen to retreat or
be alarmed; and if compelled to yield to the numbers of his hunters,
he retreats slowly and leisurely, and turns himself round at short
intervals. If overtaken in a thicket, he flies rapidly till he reaches
the open plain, and then again he withdraws slowly. If compelled by
numbers to retreat openly on the plain ground, he runs at full stretch,
and does not leap. His manner of running is continuous, like that of a
dog at full stretch. When pursuing his prey, he throws himself upon it
when he comes within reach.
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