I.— NATURAL HISTORY OF THE INHABIT- 

 ANTS OF THE HIVE. 



l^E^VERY hive or bee colony comprises in summer 

 @|M| three distinct classes of bees, each class having 

 functions peculiar to itself, and which are essential to 

 the well-being of the whole community. As each bee 

 knows its own proper duties, they all work harmoniously 

 and zealously together, for the common weal. Certain 

 apparent exceptions to the good-fellowship of the bees 

 will be hereafter noticed, but those arise out of essential 

 conditions in the social economy of the bee community. 

 That honey lees should live in society, as they do in hives, 

 is absolutely needful. A bee, in an isolated condition, is 

 a very helpless, delicate little creature, soon susceptible. 

 • of cold, and paralysed thereby, unless able to join her 

 companions before night comes on. By congregating 

 in large numbers, bees maintain warmth, whatever the 

 external temperature may be. 



B 2. 



