The Life of the Bee 



for some moments fly backwards, hovering 

 eagerly about the table or window, with 

 her head turned toward the room. 



She is reconnoitring, fixing in her 

 memory the exact position of the treasure. 

 Thereupon she will go to the hive, dis- 

 gorge her plunder into one of the provi- 

 sion-cells, and in three or four minutes 

 return, and resume operations at the 

 providential window. And thus, while 

 the honey lasts, will she come and go, 

 at intervals of every five minutes, till 

 evening, if need be ; without interruption 

 or rest ; pursuing her regular journeys 

 from the hive to the window, from the 

 window back to the hive. 



[46] 



Many of those who have written on 



bees have thought fit to adorn the truth; 



I myself have no such desire. For 



studies of this description to possess 



162 



