ORDER VI. VEIN-WINGED INSECTS. 259 



hive in full operation without being astonished at the act- 

 ivity and surprising industry of its inhabitants. We see 

 crowds constantly arriving from the woods, meadows, fields, 

 and gardens, laden with provisions and materials for future 

 use, while others are continually flying off on similar col- 

 lecting expeditions. Some are carrying out the dead, others 

 are removing dirt or offal, while others are giving battle to 

 any strangers that may dare intrude. Suddenly a cloud 

 appears, and the bees hurry home, thronging at the entrance 

 to the hive by thousands, until all are gradually received 

 within their sacred inclosure. In the interior of the hive 

 we see with what skill they work their combs and deposit 

 the honey which they have manufactured ; and when their 

 labor is over for the day, we observe them resting in chains 

 suspended from the ceiling of their habitation, one bee cling- 

 ing with its fore feet to the hind feet of the one above it, 

 until it seems impossible that the upper one can be strong 

 enough to hold on to the ceiling and support the weight of 

 so many hundreds, without letting them drop. But all 

 these circumstances w^ill be mentioned in their proper places ; 

 and, for the purpose of presenting our readers with a com- 

 plete history of this most interesting species of insects, as 

 well as with correct ideas of their proper management, we 

 propose to explain in order : 



1st. The different individuals of which a bee-hive is 

 composed ; 



2c?. The different kinds of bee-hives ; 



Sd. The laying of their eggs ; 



Ath. The development of the egg ; 



5th. The swarms ; 



6th. Their sting, and battles ; 



7th. The collection of honey and wax ; 



8th. The combs ; 



dth. The honey harvest ; 

 10th. The uses of wax and honey. 



