A P P K IN D 1 X . 



THE BEE 



I shall say a few words of the Bee first, in consideration of the 

 non-entomological reader, to whom an insect with a new name, 

 might present more questionable pretensions to sagacity ; hut from 

 Theocritus and Horace, down to Huber and Watts, the ' busy bee" 

 has gone on affording lessons which it is hoped tend to the improve- 

 ment of those to whom they are addressed; and truly, certain of the 

 acts of this singularly interesting insect, which is a considerable con- 

 tributor to the wealth of nations (as the entries of foreign homes at the 

 custom-house may certify) do afford astounding evidence of the per- 

 fection of divine workmanship ! " The patriotic and republican 

 spirit of bees is so remarkable," says an eminent French naturalist, 

 " and the views which guide them seem so premeditated, and are so 

 invariable, that even philosophy would derive light from an atten- 

 tive consideration of their proceedings." Meanwhile take the fol- 

 lowing as accredited instances of the instinct of bees. 



The working bees, which are mules, having no sex, exhibit not- 

 withstanding, an affection purely disinterested for the female who is 

 to maintain the race. These eunuchs of her harem follow and pro- 

 tect her wherever she goes, building cells for her ungrudgingly, and 

 doing everything for her accommodation, so long as she is in a ca- 

 pacity to lay eggs. If however the queen bee be so wounded as to 



