SLEEP IN A SOCIALIST COMMUNITY. (To THY EDITOR OF THE
"SPECTATOR:')
Sne—In the charming article entitled "Butterfly Sleep" in the Spectator of September let the writer says that by sunset bees "are all asleep in their communal dormitory." This is not altogether correct. The bees are certainly in the hive, but they are not all asleep by any means. In fact it has been doubted whether during summer these unfortunate devotees to a Socialist ideal get any sleep at all. Modern hives, unlike the old ekep, are easily examined at any time, and it has been found that comb-building goes on rapidly all through the night. Any one can see in warm weather bees, near the door of the hive, fanning with their wings ; this also is kept up all night if the temperature demands it.—I am, Sir, &c., The Manse, Sedlescombe Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea.
W. W. GOLDSWORTHY.
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