28 THB HONET-BEE. 



flowers, and pass rapidly over tlie anthers, the pollen- 

 bearing portion of the stamens, detaching a portion ol 

 the dust, which lodges on most parts of them, and is 

 brushed together and packed in little pellets in the curi- 

 ous "pollen-baskets" on their posterior legs. 



This process is much more readily observed, when 

 the bees are collecting rye-meal, which is sometimes given 

 them as a substitute for pollen. That they gather pollen 

 from but one kind of flower at once, is shown by the 

 uniformity of color in the pellets, pollen from difPerent 

 species, varying greatly in color. It is usually packed in 

 worker-cells, and is generally in the vicinity of the brood- 

 combs, but small portions being often found in other 

 parts of the hive. 



It is easy to observe the bees depositing their loads 

 of pollen. The legs holding the pellets are thrust into 

 the cell, and a motion as if rubbing them together is 

 made for half a minute, when they are withdrawn, and 

 the little loaves may be seen at the bottom. This bee 

 appears to take no further care about them, but another 

 will soon come along, enter the cell head first, and pack 

 the pollen close. The cell is filled about two-thirds of its 

 length in this way, and when sealed over, a little honey is 

 used to fill it out. This is undoubtedly done to keep it 

 fresh. The collected pollen is known as "bee-bread." 



GATHERING AND STORING HONEY. 



The bee gathers honey from the flowers, but does not 

 make it, as is frequently supposed. It is taken into the 

 honey-sac or stomach, and on the return to the hive, is 

 expelled for storage in the cells. 



The process of filling cells with honey is curious and 

 instructive. It may be observed by quietly removing the 

 side of a modern hive, when the bees are at work op the 

 outside comb, or by arranging a window in a hive, covered 

 with a door or slide. 



