The Life of the Bee 



would deem them more interesting did 

 they resemble ourselves, have not yet 

 truly realised what it is that should awaken 

 the interest of a sincere mind. The aim 

 of the observer is not to surprise, but to 

 comprehend; and to point out the gaps 

 existing in an intellect, and the signs of a 

 cerebral organisation different from our 

 own, is more curious by far than the re- 

 lating of mere marvels concerning it. 



But this indifference is not shared by 

 all ; and when the breathless queen has 

 reached the alighting-board, some groups 

 will form and accompany her into the 

 hive ; where the sun, hero of every fes- 

 tivity in which the bees take part, is enter- 

 ing with little timid steps, and bathing in 

 azure and shadow the waxen walls and 

 curtains of honey. Nor does the new 

 bride, indeed, show more concern than 

 her people, there being not room for many 

 emotions in her narrow, barbarous, prac- 



