81 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1750. 



lenses, each of which is a perfect hexagon ; and the whole eye, when viewed in a 

 microscope, appears exactly like a honeycomb : now as the eyes, composed of these 

 hexagonal lenses, are in full view to the other bees, does it not seem that Providence 

 has directed them so as to be a pattern set before them, for the bees to follow in 

 forming their combs ? It is not also reasonable to believe, from the disproportion 

 of the convexity between the 3 smooth transparent eyes, and the lenses of the 

 dark, rough eyes, that they are appointed for different purposes ? Why may it 

 not be thought that the lenses are great magnifiers to view things near at hand, 

 and by many reflections to convey light into the dark of hives, where light is still 

 necessary ; and that the 3 other eyes are to observe objects at a great distance, 

 so as to conduct them abroad to fields at a distance, and back again to their 

 hives ? 



I agree with M. Reaumur in the form and use of the fang or tromp of the 

 working bee, and of the use of the mouth within the teeth of the bee ; so that 

 it does not suck, but laps or licks with its rough fang or tromp, like a dog. 

 But I have never observed the bee nipping or breaking open the apices of flowers, 

 to let out the farina, when it is not fully blown or open ; but have often with 

 pleasure observed the bee gathering the farina on its fang, by licking it off the 

 apices, and laying it on the first pair of legs, which convey it to the second pair, 

 and these lodge it on the pallet of the third pair, with surprizing briskness ; so 

 that, by the time the second pair has lodged it on the third pair, the bee has 

 gathered more, and lodged it on the fore legs ; so that all are in constant 

 motion. 



From the curious observations made by M. Reaumur, on the structure and 

 behaviour of the queen or mother bee, the drone or male bee, and the working 

 or mule bee, which is of neither sex ; from the queen bee's being so exceedingly 

 prolific, as to lay from 30 to 40000 eggs of working bees in a season ; besides 

 the eggs of 800 male bees, and of 8 or 10 queen or mother bees ; and from the 

 coldness of the male bee who so long resists the caresses of the queen or female 

 bee ; and also from the indefatigable labour and economy of the working bee, to 

 nourish the young bees, make up the combs, and lay in stores of farina and 

 honey for winter ; I think very good reasons may be given why the queen should 

 have a seraglio of some hundreds of male bees ; and why the working bee should 

 destroy the males, when no longer necessary to impregnate the eggs of the 

 mother bee. 



It is evident, from the economy of the garden bee, that Providence has ap- 

 pointed that they should share their store with mankind, by making them so in- 

 dustrious in every climate, as to provide, in tolerable seasons, a store of honey 

 and wax, double of what is necessary for their subsistence during the winter, and 

 of combs for the queen's laying her eggs in spring, before new work can be made. 



