POLLEN, OR BEE-BREAD. 73 



so covered with pollen from plants containing large 

 quantities of it, that they cannot clear themselves of 

 the powder till they return to their homes ; and, in 

 some cases, they need the assistance of their fellows 

 to brush off what adheres too tightly, or in places 

 not easily reached by the individual herself. 



When the pollen-laden bee has reached the combs, 

 she searches for a cell already containing the same 



[ FIG 21. HIND-LEG OF A BEE. 



material as that she is carrying, or which is suitable 

 for her purpose. Then, having found what she wants, 

 she inserts her hindmost legs into the cell, and, by a 

 dexterous movement, detaches the little balls, and, 

 on retiring, gives herself some vigorous shakes, as if 

 to clear herself of still adherent flower-dust. Then 

 another worker, whose duty it is to see to the proper 

 storing of the bee-bread, rams it down with her head 

 into a compact mass, and the process goes on till the 

 cell is filled. 



No particular portion of the combs seems selected 



