PHYSIOLOGY. 6d 



teresting statements on the longevity of bees, estimates it 

 not to exceed four months. The workers are supposed by 

 him, to live siic or seven months. Their age depends, how- 

 ever, very much upon their greater or less exposure to in- 

 jurious influences and severe labors. Those reared in the 

 spring and early part of summer, and on whom the heaviest 

 labors of the hive must necessarily devolve, do not ap- 

 pear to live more than two or three months, while those 

 which are bred at the close of summer, and early in autumn, 

 being able to spend a large part of their time in repose, 

 attain a much greater age. It is very evident that " the 

 bee," (to use the words of a quaint old writer,) " is a sum- 

 mer bird," and that with the exception of the queen, none 

 live to be a year old. 



Notched and ragged wings, instead of gray hairs and 

 wrinkled faces, are the signs of old age in the bee, and 

 indicate that its season of toil will soon be over. They 

 appear to die rather suddenly, and often spend their last 

 days, and sometimes even their last hours, in useful labors. 

 Place yourself before a hive, and see the indefatigable 

 energy of these aged veterans, toiling along with their 

 heavy burdens, side by side with their more youthful com- 

 peers, and then say if you can, that you have done work 

 enough, and that you will give yourself up to slothful indul- 

 gence, while the ability for useful labor still remains. Let 

 the cheerful hum of their industrious old age inspire you 

 with better resolutions, and teach you how much nobler it 

 is to meet death in the path of duty, striving still, as you 

 " have opportunity," to " do good unto all men." 



The age which individual members of the community 

 may attain, must not be confounded with that of the colony. 

 Bees have .been known to occupy the same domicile for a 

 great number of years. I have seen flourishing colonies 



