102 MORE ABOUT WHAT THE BEES DO. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



THE SAME SUBJECT— CONTINUED. 



Having considered the queen and the drone, we 

 proceed now to think more ^particularly of the 

 workers. I have spoken of their work before, in a 

 general way ; and, to make it all clear, I think it is 

 well I should just remind you of what I have said 

 on this subject in previous chapters. 



Well, we thought a good deal of their industry, 

 energy, patience, and cheerful work. I also described 

 how they work early and late, out of doors, making 

 even a hundred journeys in the day, if only the 

 weather is fine, and the supply of food plentiful, and 

 near at hand. 



I also spoke of the way in which the bees, living 

 together in a community, help one another, and work 

 together, and thus, by united effort, produce the comb, 

 the brood-nest, and the abundant stores of honey and 

 pollen, and keep everything neat and in good order. 



We saw how much of truth — even if somewhat of 

 error — there is in Shakespeare's description of — 



' The honey bees, 

 Creatures, that by a rule in nature, teach 

 The act of order to a peopled kingdom, 

 They have a king and officers of sorts : 

 Where some, like magistrates, correct at home ; 

 Others, like merchants, venture trade abroad ; 

 Others, like soldiers, armed in their stings, 

 Make boot upon the summer's velvet buds ; 



