MEMBRANE-WINGED INSECTS. 



383 



They live in societies. In some of the tribes of insects of this 

 kind, there is, beside the males and females, a third sort, called 

 neuters, as among the ants and bees. Sometimes the neuter, and 

 sometimes the female, is without wings, and sometimes without a 

 sting. 



Bees. — Everything connected with the history of bees is 

 full of interest, calculated to excite our wonder, and to promote 



our improvement. When they begin to work in theii hives, they 

 divide themselves into four companies. One company roves in the 

 fields, and provides materials for the structure of the honeycomb ; 

 another company employs the wax provided by the first, and lays 

 out the bottom and partition of the cells ; a third company is en- 

 gaged in making the inside smooth from the corners and the 

 angles ; and the fourth company brings food for the rest, or relieves 

 those who return with their respective loads. What is surprising, 

 the companies change their employments by mutual consent, and 



