Hive-Bees. 



133 



each otlicr in all directions the uppermost bee maintaining 

 its position by laying hold of the roof with its fore legs, 

 and the succeeding one by laying hold of the hind legs of 

 the first. 



'* A person," says Reaumur, " must have been born devoid 

 of curiosity not to take interest in the investigation of such 

 wonderful proceedings." Yet Reaumur himself seems not 



Curtain of Wax-workers secreting wax. 



to have understood that the bees suspended themselves 

 in this manner to secrete wax, but merely, as he imagined, 

 to recruit themselves by rest for renewing their labours c 



