218 OUT OF DOORS. 



pidity, as is needful while the frozen ground and 

 withered foliage afford them no sustenance. 



There are the bees, for example, all snugly asleep 

 in their hive, having contrived to keep up a sufficient 

 warmth for their winter's needs, and laid up a sufficient 

 store of honey for the little nourishment which they 

 require. If you could look into their hives you would 

 see the bees closely clustered together, and every un- 

 sealed cell containing a bee that has crept half-way 

 into it, and there lies comfortably sleeping. That 

 cold is injurious you can easily prove by gently tapping 

 the hive, when a little commotion is heard within, a 

 bee comes out to see what is the matter, and immedi- 

 ately falls dead from the frosty atmosphere. Only do 

 not repeat this process, unless you desire to lose all the 

 bees — for when these insects awake they must eat, and 

 unless they are kept perfectly quiet they will rapidly 

 consume their store, and then die miserably of cold and 

 hunger. 



A few wasps, too, and other insects, may be found 

 in banks or similar localities, there awaiting the spring, 

 which will set them at liberty to initiate new house- 

 holds and multiply their species in a marvellously rapid 

 manner. The ant tribe too are patiently resting in 

 their subterranean beds, and will be amongst the first 

 to arise in the Spring. 



Few persons have any idea, as they walk in the 

 country on a winter day, how the ground beneath their 

 feet is teeming with life. Putting aside the earth- 



