MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BEES DO. 97 



back into proper shape and order. And the bees do 

 all this in the dark ! 



' Is it credible,' says Langstroth, * that these little 

 insects can unite so many requisites in the construction 

 of their cells, either by chance, or because they are 

 profoundly versed in the most intricate mathematics ? 

 Are we not compelled to acknowledge that the 

 mathematics by which they construct a shape so 

 complicated, and yet the only one which can unite so 

 many desirable requirements, must be referred to the 

 Creator, and not to His puny creature ? To an 

 intelligent and candid mind, the smallest piece of 

 honey-comb is a perfect demonstration that there is a 

 great First Cause.' 



' On books deep poring, ye pale sons of toil. 

 Who waste in studious trance the midnight oil. 

 Say, can ye emulate, with all your rules. 

 Drawn or from Grecian or from Gothic schools, 

 This artless frame ? Instinct her simple guide, 

 A heaven-taught insect baffles all your pride. 

 Not all yon marshall'd orbs that ride so high, 

 Proclaim more loud a present Deity 

 Than the nice symmetry of these small cells, 

 Where on each angle genuine science dwells.' 



Evans. 



CHAPTER XXn. 



MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BEES DO. 



We pass on now to consider more fully than we have 

 done before, some particulars of the work of the bee 

 both at home and abroad. I have already said that 



H 



