APIS. 349 



cations. The whole hive, its entrance and the immedi- 

 ate vicinity, and far around is jocund with the bustle 

 and the buzz of the busy little creatures going and 

 coming; those returning are all laden, although some do 

 not appear so, but these are conveying riches home 

 within them, as they are returning from their excur- 

 sions with their honeybag well filled. There is wel- 

 coming recognition at the entrance to the hive, where, 

 on its broad platform, they all alight, and there many 

 are to be seen touching each other with their an- 

 tennse, or refreshing themselves by the vibrations of 

 their wings, and in doing this they often raise them- 

 selves on the hind legs, or they are resting for a few 

 seconds before they enter. Others are to be seen arriv- 

 ing unrecognizable from a coloured envelope of pollen 

 which mantles them. The incessant hum that accom- 

 panies these proceedings is like the mildest tones of 

 the surge of the distant sea, or the inarticulate 

 buzz of the voice of large crowds. In this seemiuo- 



" O 



confusion all obey the strictest order, for each attends 

 to his own business only ; there is no collision or loss 

 of time or labour, each one fulfilling precisely its own 

 mission. At this period the hive is a perfect model of 

 order, neatness, and beauty. The combs we have seen 

 so rapidly growing are to be filled, and fresh cells are 

 being constantly constructed. The honey there stored 

 from the gradual gatherings of these active harvesters 

 is partly to be reserved for the winter's needs, and is 

 carefully husbanded, for each of these cells is, when 

 filled, closed by a covercle of wax moulded as it is sup- 

 plied to the operator in concentric circles, commencing 

 at the edge, and each circle being completed before an- 

 other is begun, and not in a spiral twist towards the 



