2 DECEMBER 1932, Page 13

VULCANIZED BEES.

A strange result of the eruptions (not of the political sort) in Chile is reported to me from Argentina. Most Argentines at the time held that the reports of falling dust were much exaggerated in the Press. They are now not so sure. The dust has continued to fall ; and sonic of its influences are unexpectedly maleficent. It has killed the hive bees whole- sale, and Argentina is as truly a paradise for bees as for maize. Experto crede : believe one who has caroused on the honey. Just why the bees have suffered does not seem to be known. In places the dust was so thick as to prevent the cattle grazing ; but the bees have died where the dust-rain was not nearly thick enough to prevent the approach to flowers. Probably it has choked the pores of the body, so to-call-them, which are very sensitive to external influence. -

• • • W. BEACH THOMAS.