352 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 



changed as well as the form ; for, as it exists 

 within the insect, it is a soft, clammy gum or 

 glue. The thread acquires, it is probable, its 

 firmness and tenacity from the action of the air 

 upon itft surface in the moment of exposure ; and 

 a thread so fine is almost all surface. This pro- 

 perty, however, of the paste is part of the con- 

 trivance. 

 ^, The mechanism itself consists of the bags or 

 reservoirs into which the glue is collected, and 

 of the external holes communicating with these 

 bags ; and the action of the machine is seen in the 

 forming of a thread, as wire is formed, by forcing 

 the material already prepared through holes of 

 proper dimensions. The secretion is an act too 

 subtile for our discernment, except as we perceive 

 it by the produce. But one thing answers to an- 

 other ; the secretory glands to the quality and 

 iconsistence required in the secreted substance ; 

 the bag to its reception. The outlets and orifices 

 are constructed not merely for relieving the re- 

 servoirs of their burden, but for manufacturing 

 the contents into a form and texture of great ex- 

 ternal use, or rather, indeed, of future necessity, 

 to the life and functions of the insect. 



II. Bees, under one character or other, have 

 furnished every naturalist with a set of observa- 

 tions. I shall, in this place, confine myself to 

 one ; and that is the relation which obtains be- 

 tween the wax and the honey. No person who 

 has inspected a bee-hive can forbear remarking 



