48 INSECTS. 



a constant supply of atmospheric air, while engaged in 

 his labours below. 



Of these labours it must here suffice to say that, 

 feeding on putrifying substances, he was doing his part 

 towards the purification of the world by converting 

 noxious dead matter into the material of an organized, 

 living, wholesome being. At this task he laboured, and 

 if he gained his own advantages thereby, who would 

 grudge them to him, or who could fail to recognise 

 therein the wisdom which has taught each creature to 

 find in his allotted task his allotted share of enjoyment ? 



Having at length done his work and earned his re- 

 ward, he next took a little sleep as " pupa," and then 

 burst forth into life, a sun-loving, flower-enjoying, 

 .winged creature, with nothing to do but to be happy 

 and nothing to think of but his pleasures. No house 

 building for him he wants no house. His life will 

 end with the year's warmth and brightness, for he knows 

 no winter. No family cares, for him his children can 

 make their own way in their own muddy pool, be 

 happy and prosperous without his help. Never need he 

 dim his bright wings with sordid labour, or soil his 

 polished body till his little life shall end. And so his 

 broad smooth wings are well suited to his needs. 



But now for our bee. He first awoke to conscious- 

 ness in the form of a fat little, comfortable, lazy white 

 maggot, packed cosily in a waxen cradle ready made for 

 him, with nothing to do for himself or for anybody else, 

 except to open his mouth for the food which careful 

 guardians daily and hourly brought to him, and, delibe- 

 rately masticating it ? to wait for more. 



So time rolled on with him, and the one only exertion 

 to which the little sybarite thought of arousing himself 



