398 CARDING BEE. 



by which he could at any time cause a hive of bees 

 to swarm upon his head, shoulders, or body, in a 

 most surprising manner. He has been seen to 

 drink a glass of wine with the bees all over his head 

 and face more than an inch deep — several fell into 

 glass, but they knew him too well to sting him. 

 He could even act the part of a general with them, 

 by marshalling them in battle array upon a large 

 table. There he divided them into regiments, bat- 

 talions, and companies, according to military dis- 

 cipline, waiting only for his word of command. 

 The moment he uttered the word march! they be- 

 gan to march in a very regular manner in rank and 

 file, in the manner of soldiers. To these, his 

 Lilliputians, he also taught so much politeness that 

 they never attempted to sting any of the numerous 

 company which, at different times, resorted to ad- 

 mire this singular spectacle. 



CARDING BEE*. 



The Carding Bees nearly all perish in the winter; 

 a few of the females only survive. These usually 

 make their appearance early in the spring, as soon 

 as the catkins of the willows are in blossom ; upon 

 which, at this time, they may commonly be seen 

 collecting honey from the female, and pollen from 

 the male catkins. 



The neuters do not appear till the spring is some- 



Apis muscorum. Linn, 



