178 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



were not provided with a sufficient quantity of 

 food, it must die of starvation. But she has re- 

 ceived her instructions directly from her kind 

 Creator, and guided by the wonderful instinct 

 which he has bestowed upon her, she goes 

 straight forward with her work, apportions the 

 proper quantity of food for each little individual, 

 and it is exactly enough. 



But. I have not yet told you how the cells are 

 finished. 



After the bee has laid the first egg, and co- 

 vered it with pollen mixed with honey, she 

 carries a parcel of her chips into the nest, and 

 glueing them together, forms a ceiling over the 

 first cell, which also serves for the floor of the 

 second. Upon this she lays another egg, and 

 covering it also with pollen paste, ceils it in the 

 same manner ; then a third, and so on. When the 

 nest is finished, it contains from ten to twelve 

 cells, the upper one being covered like the rest. 



Harriet. But I do not see how the young 

 bees are ever to get out, if they are so complete- 

 ly fastened in. 



Jlunt M. The mother has provided against 

 this difficulty. The young, as I have told you, 

 do riot attempt to escape until they have be- 



