THE BEE. 



X>ENEATH the meadow's flowery breast 

 The Wild -Bee* builds her humble nest, 

 And, anxious, to her mossy dome 

 Conveys her gather'd treasures home. 

 Each opening gem that scents the field 

 She bids its choicest fragrance yield ; 

 Bright Vimpernel, of lively hue, 

 Fair Speedwell, rich in varied blue ; 

 And Orchis, clad in speckled bloom, 

 And the sweet Trefoil's soft perfume ; 

 And Etiphrasy, of modest mein. 

 And Meadow -sweet, the vernal queen. 

 Sometimes amid the garderis maze 

 Secure the little Plunderer strays ; 

 Bobs the gay Roses blushing dell ; 

 Hangs in the Lily's silver bell ; 

 Or from Rhodonia s purple flower 

 Culls sweets to fill her waxen bower. — 

 So lives the happy rural Maid, 

 By no ambitious wishes sway'd; 

 Fair tenant of the peaceful grove, 

 Content with industry and love ! 



Shaw. 



* Bees, besides extracting from flowers honey and wax, in a way that no chemist, however great their art, could accomplish, in re- 

 turn, perform the office of bridegroom to flowers, by the conveyance of the fertilizing meal from one flower to another. 



The Flwnhle Bee, which we have introduced into our picture, differs, we believe, in manners from the common, or domestic bee, only 

 bv forming its nest under ground. Its cells are in the shape of acorns, attached to each other by a waxen thread, so as to resemble in the 

 total a bunch of grapes; but here the presiding Queen is without wings, and smooth, and being all over of a shining black, may be compared 

 to the Queen of Ethiopia. Each morning she sends out one of her subjects, who instantly obeys; and making a buzzing noise at the gate of 

 the hive for near half an hour, by the motion of the wings alone, rouses from their slumbers the rest, who obey this summons, and then pro- 

 ceed to their several useful labours for the commonwealth. The Queen daily visits each cell, and always proceeds with several in her suit, 

 and the rest make room for her to pass, when she directs the whole plan of operations. This insect is too nearly allied to flowers not to have 

 found admission amongst them, and being once introduced, there needs no apology with the sentimental reader for delaying his attention a 

 little, by a slight and elegant poetic effusion, even on an insect ! 



71 



