THE HUMBLE BEE. 



135 



At the end of autumn, nearly all the Humble Bees die. The 

 males invariably perish, but one or two of the females survive, 

 and pass the winter in a state of hibernation. They do not 

 select the nest for this purpose, convenient though the locality 

 may seem, but hide themselves away singly in sheltered spots, 

 such as the eaves of thatched barns, hollow trees, haystacks, 

 or old ruins. When the sunbeams of spring gain warmth and 

 strength, the sleepers awaken from their torpor, and immediately 

 search for a spot wherein the new home may be excavated. 



BOSraUS TERRESTTIIP. 





These bees, which are the Methuselahs of their short-lived 

 race, may be seen in any warm spring day, Hying about in all 

 directions, prowling over every spare yard of ground, and 

 settling here and there, as if to test the quality of the soil. 



