THE LIFE OF A BEE 



A moment later it was all over, and a silent doomed 

 procession dropped earthward the Queen was missing 

 the bee-bird had caught her. 



The news spread instantly. I had been among the 

 first to make report of it. 



"We shall all die together now," said Crip, in de- 

 jection. "It is only a matter of days. We have no 

 eggs, no larvae, and may not rear another mother. 

 Alas alas!" 



