8 THE BEE AS AN INSECT. [Ch. i. 



division Articulata, or conjointed animals. In England 

 alone there are 250 native species of bee. 



Turning now to the particular insect with which we 

 intend to interest ourselves, we observe that every hive 

 or bee colony comprises in summer three distinct classes- 

 of bees, each class having functions peculiar to itself, 

 and essential to the maintenance and well-being of the 

 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-fellov/ship of the bees will be hereafter noticed, but 

 these arise out of essential conditions in the social 

 economy of the bee community. That honey bees 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. 



The three classes of bees are — the queen bee, or 

 perfect female ; the working bees, or undeveloped 

 females ; and the drones, or male bees. 



§ II. THE QUEEN, 



appropriately styled, by German bee-keepers, the mother 

 bee, is the only perfectly developed female among the 

 whole population of each separate colony. Thus her 



