HUMBLE-BEES. 



they patch up with wax as often as the fracture takes place, so 

 that in this way the cell increases in size until the larva arrives 

 at maturity. 



96. As in the case of the hive-hee already described, the larva 

 after the first metamorphosis, is shut up in the enlarged cell to 

 spin its cocoon. When this labour has been completed, and that 

 the perfect insect is about to issue, the workers still discharging 

 the duty of tender foster-parents, set about to assist the little 

 prisoner in cutting open the cocoon, from which it emerges in its 

 perfect state. 



97. While in the pupa state, however, another tender and con- 

 siderate measure of the workers must not be passed without notice. 

 It is essential to the well-being of the pupa that while concealed 

 in the cocoon it should be maintained at a genial temperature. 

 To secure this object, the workers collect upon the cocoons in cold 

 weather and at night, so that by brooding over them they may 

 impart the necessary warmth. 



98. The following curious anecdote connected with this subject 

 is related by Huber. 



"He put under a bell-glass about a dozen humble-bees, 

 without any store of wax, along with a comb of about ten silken 

 cocoons, so unequal in height that it was impossible the mass 

 should stand firmly. Its unsteadiness disquieted the humble-bees 

 extremely. Their affection for their young led them to mount 

 upon the cocoons for the sake of imparting warmth to the enclosed 

 little ones, but in attempting this the comb tottered so violently 

 that the scheme was almost impracticable. To remedy this 

 inconvenience, and to make the comb steady, they had recourse 

 to a most ingenious expedient. Two or three bees got upon the 

 comb, stretched themselves over its edge, and with their heads 

 downwards fixed their fore-feet on the table upon which it stood, 

 whilst with their hind- feet they kept it from falling. In this con- 

 strained and painful posture, fresh bees relieving their comrades 

 when weary, did these affectionate little insects support the comb 

 for nearly three days. At the end of this period they had pre- 

 pared a sufficiency of wax, with which they built pillars that kept 

 it in a firm position : but by some accident afterwards, these got 

 displaced, when they had again recourse to their former manoeuvre 

 for supplying their place ; and this operation they perseveringly 

 continued, until M. Huber, pitying their hard task, relieved them 

 by fixing the object of their attention firmly on the table." * 



It is impossible not to be struck with the reflection, that this 

 most singular fact is inexplicable on the supposition, that insects 

 are impelled to their operations by a blind instinct alone. How 



* Lincaean Trans., vi. 247, et seq. 



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