COMMON HUMBLE-BEE. 247 



ply, taking care each time to renew the sealing ; and 

 this is continued till their transformation into the 

 nymph state takes place, when the feeding ceases, 

 and the cell is finally closed. And, lastly, we find 

 displayed in different places throughout the nest, and 

 stowed away, as it were, in odd corners, a number 

 of small cups or cells filled with honey. A peculi- 

 arity with regard to these deserves notice, they are 

 never sealed like those of the domestic bee, because 

 they are not designed for winter stores of which 

 they have no need, but for daily use. 



The cells being prepared for the reception of the 

 brood, the mother proceeds to lay her eggs. These 

 are not fixed on one end, as is the case with those 

 of the domestic hee, hut are huddled together without 

 any order, and to the number often, as already stated, 

 of six or seven. This number is deposited at one 

 time by the mother, wh0 does not quit the cell till 

 she has finished her laying. She has good reasons 

 for so doing ; even while in the act of laying, at- 

 tempts are eagerly made by the workers to seize and 

 devour the eggs, while she as eagerly and courage- 

 ously protects them. Sometimes she pursues the 

 marauders to the extremity of the comb, while, in 

 the meantime, others, watching the opportunity, steal 

 upon the cell and carry off the eggs. As soon as she 

 has made her deposit, therefore, she carefully seals 

 up the cell, and takes her station on the cover, fre- 

 quently wheeling her body round, as if to defend her 

 progeny, and doggedly keeping guard for six or 

 eight hours. If she can withstand their voracitv for 



