VIII 

 THE PROGRESS OF THE RACE 



[97] 



BEFORE closing this book as we 

 have closed the hive on the torpid 

 silence of winter I am anxious to meet 

 the objection invariably urged by those 

 to whom we reveal the astounding indus- 

 try and policy of the bees. Yes, they 

 will say, that is all very wonderful ; but 

 then, it has never been otherwise. The 

 bees have for thousands of 'years dwelt 

 under remarkable laws, but during those 

 thousands of years the laws have not 

 varied. For thousands of years they 

 have constructed their marvellous combs, 

 whereto we can add nothing, wherefrom 

 we can take nothing, combs that unite 

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