HYMENOPTERA. 



355 



numerous, and who add^'You cannot eat beef without killing the 

 ox/ are more stupid than the animal they have chosen for their com- 



Fig. 330. Hives under the shade of trees. 



parison." A hive often produces from twelve to twenty pounds of 

 honey each year, and a proportional quantity of wax. It may, then, 



Fig. 331. Bellows used to stupefy Bees. 



furnish to the bee-keeper an important revenue, especially as the 

 rearing of bees gives scarcely any trouble, and involves scarcely any 

 labour, as it is only necessary to select a spot with a proper exposure 

 and well supplied with flowers. 



We possess in Europe two species or races of bees the Common 



