One other malady has been occasionally noticed, viz., the swelling of the terminal segments of the antennæ. The occurrence of this mischief is too rare to need further remark, beyond the suggestion that it may be the result of _microbe_ germs having made a lodgment in the tender organs affected. There is a striking analogy in the results of insanitary conditions, and the propagation of zymotic disease among the human family and among bees. Unwholesome food, defective ventilation, the diffusion of poisonous germs, produce, among both orders of beings, similar disastrous effects; and this sketch of the diseases of one class of domesticated insects may serve to point a moral for the guidance of mankind in social economy. The same inexorable laws of health and sickness prevail in the highest and the inferior orders of animal existences, and with unvarying steadfastness is proclaimed the solemn warning "Be not deceived: God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." CHAPTER XVI. THE ENEMIES OF BEES. Birds--Mice--Moths--_Braula cœca_--Hornets and Wasps--Spiders-- Toads--"Robber Bees"--Prevention of robbing. It might well be imagined that creatures armed with such deadly weapons as bees, would have few enemies who would dare to contend with them. The fact is, however, that they are exposed to dangers from numerous sources. Various kinds of wild birds, domestic fowls, mice, certain species of moths, hornets, wasps, ants, spiders and toads, are more or less destructive to them. Among the common birds fond of these insects as food, may be mentioned the titmouse tribe. Mr. Hunter says he has found hundreds of stings of bees adhering to a fence, evidently extracted by these active and clever little birds previous to swallowing their prey. Their depredations, however, are usually not great, and they are often satisfied to regale themselves on the dead insects which are carried out of the hive. In America, the King-bird (_Tyrannus muscicapa_) is mentioned by Langstroth as devouring scores of our winged friends, which he does not hesitate to seize on flower-blossoms, showing, indeed, a sensible preference for those who are distending their honey-bags with nectar. The swallow was credited by the Greeks with being a robber of apiaries, as the address of the old poet indicates:-- "Attic maiden, honey-fed, Chirping warbler, bear'st away Thou the busy buzzing bee, To thy callow brood a prey? Warbler, thou a warbler seize? Winged, one with lovely wings? Guest thyself, by summer brought, Yellow guests whom summer brings? Wilt not quickly let it drop? 'Tis not fair; indeed, 'tis wrong, That the ceaseless warbler should Die by mouth of ceaseless song." [6] [Footnote 6: Translation given in _Langstroth on the Honey-Bee_.]