74 INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



then coils itself up, until the extremities meet 

 and form a complete ring. When it ceases eating, 

 the nurse-bees seal up the cell, leaving the cater- 

 pillar to spin its cocoon in safety. The silken 

 film in which the insect now begins to wrap 

 itself, proceeds from a spinner, situated in the 

 middle part of the under lip, and is composed of 

 two threads, gummed together as they issue from 

 the two orifices of the spinner. The caterpillar 

 is employed during thirty-six hours in making its 

 cocoon ; three days after which it becomes 

 a chrysalis. Over this chrysalis, or 

 rather over the cell in which it is con- 

 tained, the nurse-bees brood until the 

 warmth of their bodies penetrates, and 

 assists in producing the last change of the 

 insect within. The cocoon, by degrees, becomes 

 attached to the interior of the cell like a lining, 

 and the bee, having its parts gradually unfolded, 

 begins at length to cut its way through the cover 

 of the cell. It is now a perfect bee, and capable 

 at once of taking its part in the labours of the 

 hive. These labours chiefly relate to food, shelter, 



