lie DIVISION OP LABOUR. 



the purpose that, however hot the weather, they al- 

 ways manage, unless there is disease in the hive, to 

 keep the air in a pure state. 



Besides the bees who thus ventilate the hive you 

 will see others also at the entrance, acting as guards, 

 watching for any enemy or strange bee, but in a 

 moment recognising their friends by a touch of their 

 antennae, and letting them pass. See, however, a fly 

 or a wasp come near, and out they rush at once, 

 ready to fight- boldly, if necessary, even to the death. 



' . . . . Some are bid 

 To keep strict sentry at the outer gate. 

 And take their turns of watching cloud and rain.' 



Virgil. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



THE DIVISION OF LABOUR IN THE HIVE. 



In the next place, we see in all this varied work 

 a striking example of the importance and results 

 of division of labour. You have all read stories 

 about this, how not even a little pin is made without 

 a great number of people — men, women, boys, and 

 girls having had part in it. Or you have read how, 

 when a house is built, although only a few hands are 

 seen to work upon it, thousands have really done 

 something towards-it, in preparation of materials, in 

 bringing them by rail and ship to the spot, in making 

 the tools, and so on. 



' So works the hoH.ey-bee.' 



