164 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



to them, he would command the bees to settle, 

 now upon his head, and now upon his arm, and 

 so on. They did not know that he held the 

 charmer in his hand. 



Such was the spell which round a Wildman's arm, 

 Twined in dark wreaths the fascinated swarm, 

 Bright o'er his breast the glittering legions led, 

 Or with a living garland bound his head. 

 His dexterous hand, with firm yet hurtless hold, 

 Could seize the chief, known by her scales of gold, 

 Preen, 'mid the wandering throng, her filmy wing, 

 Or o'er her folds the silken fetter fling." 



I expected to finish my story of the hive bees 

 to-night, but the evenings are short now, and it 

 is already bed time. 



Rene&. I should like to hear every thing 

 about bees ; they are so interesting. 



Aunt M. Very well, we will talk more 

 about them at another time. 



