CONTENTS 



INTRODUCTION : THE OLDEST CRAFT UNDER THE 



SUN - - - - - ix 



CHAPTER 



I. THE ANCIENTS AND THE HONEY-BEE - 1 



11. THE ISLE OF HONEY - 1 8 



III. BEE-MASTERS IN THE MIDDLE AGES - - 28 



ylV. AT THE CITY GATES - - "SO 



.V. THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE HIVE - - 67 



vVI. EARLY WORK IN THE BEE-CITY - 84 



^VIL THE GENESIS OF THE QUEEN - - 94 



Vin. THE BRIDE- WIDOW - - II 7 



IX. THE SOVEREIGN WORKER-BEE - - I27 



X. A ROMANCE OF ANATOMY - - - 146 



XI. THE MYSTERY OF THE SWARM - 1 74 



XII. THE COMB-BUILDERS ... 195 



XIII. "WHERE THE BEE SUCKS " - - 219 



XIV, THE DRONE AND HIS STORY - - - 233 

 XV. AFTER THE FEAST .... 248 



XVI. THE MODERN BEE- FARM - - 257 



XVII. BEE-KEEPING AND THE SIMPLE LIFE - - 267 



Vll 



