The Life of the Bee 



sphere that the walls of the comb di- 

 vide ; it rises imperceptibly and falls, 

 it advances or retires, in proportion as 

 the cells grow empty to which it clings. 

 For, contrary to what is generally believed, 

 the winter life of the bee is not arrested, 

 although it be slackened. By the con- 

 certed beating of their wings — little 

 sisters that have survived the flames of 

 the sun — which go quickly or slowly 

 in accordance as the temperature without 

 may vary, they maintain in their sphere 

 an unvarying warmth, equal to that of 

 a day in spring. This secret spring 

 comes from the beautiful honey, itself but 

 a ray of heat transformed, that returns 

 now to its first condition. It circulates 

 in the hive like generous blood. The 

 bees at the full cells present it to their 

 neighbours, who pass it on in their turn. 

 Thus it goes from hand to hand and frona 

 mouth to mouth, till it attain the extrem- 

 358 



