The Life of the Bee 



are obliged to sweep as they hasten behind 

 them. 



The cleaning over, the bees of the pro- 

 fane group that form no part of the cone 

 suspended in a sort of ecstasy, set to work 

 minutely to survey the lower circumference 

 of the common dwelling. Every crevice 

 is passed in review, and filled, covered 

 over with propolis ; and the varnishing of 

 the walls is begun, from top to bottom. 

 Guards are appointed to take their stand 

 at the gate; and very soon a certain 

 number of workers will go to the fields 

 and return with their burden of pollen. 



[41] 



Before raising the folds of the mysteri- 

 ous curtain beneath whose shelter are laid 

 the veritable foundations of the home, let 

 us endeavour to form some conception of 

 the sureness of vision, the accurate cal- 

 culation and industry our little people 



136 



