208 DIVISION OF LABOUR. 



(as above noticed) first the material, then the cells in rough- 

 hewn formation, there comes a second band whose employment 

 is to examine and adjust the angles, remove superfluous wax, 

 and give the work perfection ; while, attendant on these, is a 

 third party which brings provisions ; of these, each opening her 

 honey-bag imparts refreshment to the thirsty labourer, who, 

 without quitting her work, bends down her head to receive it. 

 It would seem, therefore, that at home as well as abroad the 

 toils of bee labourers are, even in a literal sense, not without 

 their sweets; and in their well-ordered, social, voluntary mode 

 of working we appear to see clearly pleasure mingled with their 

 labour. 



The above notices, slight as they arc, of bee notabilities, 

 must surely be sufficient to excite a wish for more knowledge of 

 their proceedings, as detailed by accurate observers ; and not 

 this only, but a desire also to become in person Asmodean 

 spectators of the doings in waxen cities. These, in their 

 foundation, progress, and completion afford, as we have just 

 seen, abundance of materiel, matter to amuse both eye and 

 niind, while the politics and passions of the little citizens 

 offer (as elsewhere noticed) plenty of moral subjects for com- 

 parison and curious speculation. Be it also remembered, that, 

 explored as the bee metropolis has of late years been, it has 

 still its hidden mysteries much more worthy, we take it, of 

 the trouble of unveiling, than the heart-sickening, heart-pol- 

 luting, though greedily devoured, " Mysteries of London ' 

 and of Paris. 



