INTRODUCTION I3 



The bumble-bee, in producing a colony 

 of workers to advance the interests of the 

 family and help to rear a numerous pro- 

 geny, took a long step ahead of the soli- 

 tary little pollen-collector that makes a 

 hole for each larva. 



But the bumble-bees die in the fall, — 

 all but the perfect female5, that live to start 

 each one a separate nest next season. 



The hive bees took a long step in ad- 

 vance of the bumble-bees when they 

 created a lasting colony, one which stored 

 up provisions and survived the winter, 

 ready to fly forth at the first sign of spring 

 to continue the work of the hive, instead 

 of having each year to start it from the 

 foundation. 



The story of the bees is the story of the 

 wasps. One class has stopped at the less 

 intelligent stage of solitary existence, where 

 the female digs a hole in the ground 

 or otherwise constructs a nest, pro- 

 visions it, and lays her egg. 



