THE HIVE BEE, 259 



mature and tender grubs. Most of the nests are fixed to leaves, 

 and are different forms, according to the species which made 

 them. They are mostly fixed to the under sides of the leaf, so 

 that the weight causes the leaf to bend and to form a natural 

 roof above them. The shape of the nest seems to depend much 

 on the character of the plant to which it is fixed. Those that 

 are fastened to reeds are long and slender, and generally much 

 narrower than the sword-shaped leaf on which they rest. Others, 

 which are fastened to short and broad leaves, adapt themselves 

 so closely to the shape of the leaf, that, if removed, they would 

 enable anyone to conjecture the form of the leaf upon which 

 they had been fixed. 



One such nest is very remarkable. In general form it bears 

 a singular resemblance to the nest of the fairy martin, though 

 its materials are entirely different. The nest is flask-shaped, 

 and its base is fastened to a leaf which it almost covers. The 

 body of the nest is oval, and the entrance, which is small, is 

 placed at the end of a well-marked neck. The shell of the 

 nest is extremely thin, not in the least like the loose, papery 

 structure of an ordinary wasp-nest, nor the pasteboard-like 

 material which defends the nest of the Chartergus. It is rather 

 fragile, and in thickness is almost double that of the paper on 

 which this account is printed. 



The name of the species which builds this curious nest is 

 Polybia sedula, and the specimen was brought from Brazil. 



For the reasons which have been given at the beginning of 

 this chapter, the Hive Bee has been reckoned among the Social 

 Insects. 



The Bee has always been one of the most interesting insects 

 to mankind, on account of the direct benefit which it confers 

 upon the human race. There are many other insects which are 

 in reality quite as useful to us, and indeed are indispensable, 

 but which we neglect because we ire ignorant of their labours. 

 The Bee, however, furnishes two powerful and tangible argu- 

 ments in its favour — namely, honey and wax — and is sure, 

 therefore, to enlist our sympathies in its behalf. 



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