GENERAL HISTORY OF BEES. 23 



clothing of the perfect insect display themselves through 

 its pellucid envelope. When arrived at perfect matu- 

 rity, and ready to commence the part it has to perform 

 in the economy of nature, it bursts its cerements, mak- 

 ing its way through the dorsal covering of its silken 

 skin, and, leaving the exuviae behind, it crawls forth 

 from its dormitory, when, becoming invigorated by the 

 bracing air and the genial sunshine, it stretches its legs 

 and expands its wings, and flies forth jubilant, rejoicing 

 in its awakened faculties. 



The Imago. — The bee having attained its majority, 

 loses no time in quitting the confined abode wherein it 

 has been hitherto secluded. It comes forth prepared to 

 undertake the cares, and meet the vicissitudes of exist- 

 ence. The new life that now opens to it is one appa- 

 rently teeming exuberantly with every delight. It 

 dwells in sunshine and amidst flowers ; it revels in their 

 sweets, attracted by their beautiful colours and their 

 delightful odours ; and the consummation of its bliss is 

 to find a congenial partner. With him it enjoys a brief 

 connubial transport, but which is speedily succeeded by 

 life-long labour, for the cares of maternity immediately 

 supervene. 



I believe the wild bees are not polyandrous, and there- 

 fore many males, if there be any preponderating dis- 

 crepancy in favour of that sex, must die celibate. But 

 the fact of finding the males associated together in great 

 numbers upon the same flowers or hedges, is certainly 

 not conclusive of this being the case. To provide a 

 fitting receptacle, furnished with suitable provision, for 

 its future progeny, occupies all the subsequent solicitude 

 of the female. 



As frequent reference will hereafter be made to 



