THE HONEY-BEE. 129 



of cire brute, or crude wax. It consists of an infinite 

 number of small globules, which, in exploding in con- 

 sequence of the application of moisture, shed a subtle 

 essence over the pistils of the flower, and thus effect 

 the fecundation of the plant. The bees eagerly set 

 about collecting this nutritious substance as soon as 

 the season affords it, and continue to do so throughout 

 the summer, not only for immediate use, but also for 

 storing up against the season when it is not to be ob- 

 tained abroad. They may be observed upon the an- 

 thers of flowers, gathering this substance with unceas- 

 ing activity, and forming it into little lenticular-shaped 

 pellets which they place in the baskets in their third 

 pair of legs. They often roll their bodies in the 

 flower- cup, and then brush off the pollen adhering to 

 them ; and they are sometimes seen tearing in pieces 

 the capsules containing it, in order to get at their 

 object.* The colour varies according to the hue of 

 the flower from which it is collected. In spring it is 

 generally of a bright yellow or orange, as these are 

 the prevailing colours of the early flowers, such as 

 crocuses, snow-drops, turnips, furze, &c. The bee, 

 in each excursion in search of this substance, visits 

 only one species of flower. This is proved by the fact 

 that the little balls, with which they are loaded, are 

 uniformly of one unmixed colour a wise provision 

 of nature ; for thereby is the insect instinctively led 

 to collect, at the same moment, those particles only 

 of farina, which being homogeneous, will form the 



* Feburier, Trait des Abeilles. 



I 



