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Eyes, Antenne, and Brain: Moffett

Moffett, in his "Theatre of Insects," not only allows to bees the faculty of hearing, but credits them as well with musical appreciation, - "Neither are they altogether impatient of musical sounds, as other ruder forms of creatures are, but are very much taken and delighted therewith; provided it be without variety, simple, and unaffected."

It may be that Sir John's efforts were beyond their understanding, and that what he mistook for indifference was, in reality, a condition of stupefied surprise induced by his too complex tuning-fork and violin vibrations.

But Moffett continues, - "They are likewise very fearful of an echo, thunder and lightning, and the like sudden crackling noise; as on the contrary with a soft still whistling, or murmuring noise, and tinkling of brass they are exceedingly taken and delighted."

Nay, he proceeds farther, and would have us believe the bees possessed of a sensitive organization that not only hears but responds actively to music, as witness the following, - "And although they cannot dance by measure or according to the just number of paces, as the elephant is said to do, yet according as he that tinks on the brazen kettle pleaseth, so they slack or quicken their flying; if he beat fast and shrill, then they mend their motion, if dully and slowly, then they abate it."

One would much like to see these bees of olden time dancing to the piping - or rather "tinking" - of their masters.

The words of their seventeenth-century historian may not prove to the satisfaction of the exacting modern scientists that bees possess the sense of hearing, but they certainly do prove that the people of olden time believed they did.

Butler has surpassed every one in his faith in the musical power of bees. He has actually written a musical score which he calls the Melissomelos, or "Bee's Madrigal," the swarming song which the bees sing just before leaving the hive. It is well known that the queen utters a peculiar note at that time, and that the sound of the swarm preparing to issue is characteristic; and Butler discovered, to his own satisfaction at least, that the queen and the departing "prince" sing to each other a well-defined song, of which the queen takes the bass, the young "prince" the treble. After explaining the different notes and chords used by bees, he adds, - "So that if music were lost, it might be found with the muses' birds."