BRITISH BEES. 



(HYMENOPTEEA.) 



CHAPTEE I. 



PEELIMINAEY OBSERVATIONS, 



COMPRISING GENERAL BEMARKS UPON THE USES OF BEES IN THE 



ECONOMY OP NATUBE; THEIE DIVISION INTO SOCIAL AND SOLI- 



TAET; AND A NOTICE OF THEIR FAVOURITE PLANTS. 



IT is very natural that the "Bee" should interest the 

 majority of us, so many agreeable and attractive associa- 

 tions being connected with the name. It is immediately 

 suggestive of spring, sunshine, and flowers, meadows 

 gaily enamelled, green lanes, thymy downs, and fragrant 

 heaths. It speaks of industry, forethought, and compe- 

 tence, of well-ordered government, and of due but not 

 degrading subordination. The economy of the hive has 

 been compared by our great poet to the polity of a 

 populous kingdom under monarchical government. He 

 says : 



" Therefore doth Heaven divide 



The state of man in divera functions, 



Setting endeavour in continual motion ; 



*/ B 



