106 BEE PASTtTBAGE. 



the most delicate substance ; all that it can be used 

 for is to sweep or lick up the nectar as it exudes from 

 the pores of the flower, secreted, it would seem, for no 

 other purpose but to attract her — while there she 

 obtains nothing but what nature has provided for her 

 and given her the means of obtaining, and the most 

 delicate petal receives no injury. 



During an excursion the bee seldom visits more 

 than a single species of flower ; were it otherwise, and 

 all kinds of flowers were visited promiscuously, by 

 fertilizing one species with the pollen from another, 

 the vegetable kingdom would be very likely to get 

 into confusion. Writers, when noticing the peculiarity 

 of instinct governing the bee here, cannot be content 

 always, but must add other marvels. They follow 

 this trait into the hive, and make her store every kind 

 by itself there. Relative to honey it is not an easy 

 matter to be positive ; but pollen is of a variety of 

 colors, generally yellow, yet sometimes pale-green, and 

 reddish or dark-brown. Now I think a little patient 

 inspection would have satisfied any one that two 

 kinds are sometimes packed in one cell, and prevented 

 the assertion to the contrary. I will admit that two 

 colors are seldom found packed together, but sonie- 

 timeswill be. I have thus found it, and it has en- 

 tirely ruined that theory for me. 



A TEST FOE THE PBESBNCE OF QUEEN DOUBTED. 



It is further asserted that if a hive loses its queen 

 " no pollen is collected." Also, " that such quantities 

 are sometimes collected, and fill so many cells, that 



