BKITISH BEES. 



{HYMENOPTERA.) 



CHAPTER I. 



PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS, 



COMPBISINQ- GENEEAI EEMAEKS UPON THE T7SES OE BEES IN THE 



ECONOMY OE NATURE ; THEIE DIVISION INTO SOCIAL AND SOII- 



TAET; AND A NOTICE OE THEIE EATOUEITE PLANTS. 



It is very natural that the "Bee" should interest the 

 majority of us, so many agreeable and attractive associa- 

 tions being connected with the name. It is immediately 

 suggestive of spring, sunshine, and flowers, — meadows 

 gaily enamelled, green lanes, thymy downs, and fragrant 

 heaths. It speaks of industry, forethought, and compe- 

 tence, — of well-ordered government, and of due but not 

 degrading subordination. The economy of the hive has 

 been compared by our great poet to the polity of a 

 populous kingdom under monarchical government. He 

 says : — 



" Therefore doth Heaven divide 



The state of man in divers functions, 



Setting endeavour in continual motion ; 



B 



