A WALK THROUGH AN ENGLISH LANE. 85 



has vanished from the scene — slipped off quietly to her 

 home in her own roundabout fashion. 



Perhaps at anothcx* part of the lane, but certainly 

 not within some distance from the spot where she wa« 

 seen, the nest may be found, a mere insignificant hole 

 in the bank, yarded in all probability by the roots 

 of the neighbouring trees or bushes. Originally it was 

 the home of a country mouse, deserted by the exca- 

 vator, and squatted upon by the humble-bee. The 

 inhabitants may be seen passing in and out at rather 

 long intervals ; and if the ear be applied to the aper- 

 ture, a subdued kind of humming and buzzing is heard 

 in the interior. There is no danger in this process, 

 perilous though it may sound, for the big, heavy 

 Driunbledore is among bees what the Newfoundland is 

 among dogs, and seldom makes use of the formidable 

 weapon with which Providence has armed her for 

 ' defence, not defiance.' Many nests have I watched, 

 and many have I opened, and never yet was stung by 

 the humble-bee for my intrusion. 



Dismissing therefore the fear of stings — for even if 

 irritated, a hiunble-bee is so slow of wing that it 

 cannot make the tiger-like charge of the wasp or the 

 hornet, and can easily be captured or avoided — ^get out 

 the long and strong bladed knife (which every observer 

 ought to have in his pocket, together with string, a 

 well-stocked pincushion, a supply of boxes, and a bottle 

 half full of proof spirits of wine), and lay open the 

 interior economy of the nest. 



