BEES. 



The re.^pective appearances of the qiieen^ the worker (or 

 honey-collector, whether known by the name of wax- 

 worker, or sculpturer, or niirse-bee), and the drone, of whom 

 we shall speak by and by, are shown in the accompanying- 

 sketch. The drone-bee is even more easily recoi^-nised than 



ri-. 1-2. 



The three descriptions of bees of a liive. The left hand figure is 

 the Drone, the right hand drawing represents the Queen, and the 

 Worker occupies the centre. 



the queen. Its eyes are much larger than those of the 

 ordinary bees, and almost meet at the back of its head. Its 

 body is wide and blunt, its proboscis is shorty its head is 

 large and round, and it has no sting. This is the male 

 insect, and each hive contains from 1,500 to 2,000 of them, 

 according to its strength. When Hying it makes a deepei 

 hum than the worker-bees. 



The working-bees, which compose the great mass of the 

 inhabitants of the hive, are the manufacturers of the wax 

 and honey, and architects of the comb. Each worker is 

 peculiarly fitted for the labour which it performs. On the 

 tibia, or shank of the hind-leg, is a little basket, in which 

 it conveys its burden home. It is also furnished with a 

 receptacle within its body, wherein it, carries home the 

 honey obtained from the tlovvers, and from which it can at 

 »\ny time rt^ect the contents, a power absolutely neces- 



