144 THE BEE. 



even almost incredible, that a single insect should in one sum- 

 mer give birth to so many thousands of young ; but on opening 

 her body the wonder will cease, as the number of eggs it con- 

 tains is found to amount to upwards of five thousand. This 

 animal, whose existence is of such importance to the common- 

 wealth, may be easily distinguished from the rest by her size. 

 If she be carefully observed, she will be seen at all times accom- 

 panied by a numerous retinue ; and the attention paid her by 

 the whole hive shows how much the welfare of her subjects de- 

 pends on her security. 



In some countries bees are an object of great attention to the 

 peasant, and their honey and wax are considerable articles of 

 trade. In many of the forests of Russia and Poland, holes are 

 made in the trunks of trees for the reception of the bees, which 

 abound in those parts. By this method the country people ob- 

 tain a great quantity of honey and wax, and derive no small 

 profit from those valuable commodities. 



A country or a district may be overstocked with bees, as well 

 as with any other kind of animals ; for a certain number of hives 

 require a certain quantity of flowers for their subsistence. When 

 the flowers in the vicinity are exhausted, the industrious insects 

 are obliged to take a more extensive range ; and in going too far 

 from home, they are liable to be devoured by birds, beaten down 

 by storms, or to perish through excess of fatigue. From a con- 

 sideration of these disadvantages, they have, in some parts of 

 France and Piedmont, contrived a kind of floating bee-house, or 

 barge, in which are placed sixty or a hundred hives, well defend- 

 ed from the effects of an accidental storm. These vessels, con- 

 ducted by their owners, float gently down a river. As the bees 

 are continually choosing their flowery pasture along the banks, 

 they are furnished with a succession of sweets before unrifled; 

 and by this means, a single floating bee-house yields to the pro- 

 prietor a considerable income. Thus is the ingenuity of man 

 exercised in turning to his own advantage the various classes of 

 animal existence, as well as the different substances of inanimate 

 matter. 



" Here their delicious task the fervent bees 



In swarming millions tend: around, athwart, 



Thro' the swift air the busy nations fly, 



Cling to the bud, and with inserted tube, 



Suck its pure essence, its ethereal soul. 



And oft with bolder wing, they soaring dare 



The purple heath, or where the wild thyme grows, 



And yellow load them with the luscious spoils." 



Instead of entering into any particulars on so copious a sub- 

 ject, which might afford matter of almost endless investigation, 



