Photo: J. J. Ward. 



BRANCHED HAIRS FROM THE BODY OF A HUMBLE- 

 BEE, WITH POLLEN-GRAINS ENTANGLED 



The pollen, with which the humble-bees- become dusted on 

 their visits to the flowers, is used as food, and is often stored in 

 special "pollen-tubs" within the nest. But in securing pollen 

 for themselves the bees carry some of the grains from one blos- 

 som to another blossom of the same kind. Thus pollination is 

 effected in "bee-flowers." 



EARTHWORMS AT WORK 



The agricultural activities of earthworms are fourfold. They bruise the earth in their gizzards and make soil-solution easier. 

 They make burrows which aerate the soil and open it up for rootlets and rain. They bury the surface with the castings which they 

 bring up, turning the soil round and round in the course of time. They also bury leaves, some of which are eaten, while others rot 

 away into vegetable mould. Darwin noted that they often deal with leaves in a very effective way ; but in cases where they drag down 

 feathers their "instinct" is probably working somewhat "blindly." 



