THE NATURAL HISTORY 
OF THE BEE. 
By 
JOHN ANDERSON, M.A., B.Sc., E.B:5S.B.A., 
Lecturer in Bee-keeping. 
INTRODU CTLOR. 
Tus slight sketch is intended to be merely a simple intro- 
duction to the study of the bee and its ways. The earnest 
student is advised to refer to some larger work, such as “ Bees 
and Bee-keeping,” vol.i, by the late Frank R. Cheshire, or to 
“Langstroth on the Honey Bee,” as revised and enlarged, 
first by the late Charles Dadant, and later by his son, Mr. C. P. 
Dadant. Members of the Scottish Bee-keepers’ Association 
(Secretary, Rev. J. Beveridge, B.D., Gartmore, Stirling) may 
borrow these manuals from the excellent library of the Asso- 
ciation, and this course is recommended in the first instance 
because the books are somewhat expensive. After perusing 
volumes borrowed from the library, the serious bee-keeper will 
decide which and how many of them must find a place in his 
own private collection. 
Classification of the Honey Bee. 
The bee is without the internal bony skeleton so character- 
istic of the higher animals, and is provided instead with a 
hard outer crust to which its muscles are attached, It is 
classed, therefore, among the Invertebrates or animals without 
a backbone. All invertebrate animals that possess jointed 
limbs are grouped together in the great Phylum of Arthropods, 
which is subdivided into Crustaceans (almost all aquatic), 
