CHAPTER II. 



Life History and Structure of the Bee. — The Egg, Larva, 

 Pupa, Queen, Worker, Drone. — Varieties of the Honey- 

 bee. — Construction of the Comb. 



Professor Cook, whom we have before mentioned, 

 says : ' ' What in all the realm of Nature is so worthy 

 to awaken delight and admiration as the astonishing 

 changes which insects undergo ? " Just think of the 

 sluggish, repulsive caterpillar, dragging its heavy 

 form over clod or bush, or mining in dirt and filth, 

 changed, by the wand of Nature's great magician, first 

 into the motionless chrysalis, decked with green and 

 gold and beautiful as the gem that glitters on the finger 

 of beauty, then bursting forth as the graceful, gorgeous 

 butterfly which, by its brilliant tints and elegant 

 poise, outrivals even the birds among the life-jewels 

 of Nature, and is made fit to revel in all her decorative 

 wealth. The little fly, too, with wings dyed in rainbow 

 hues, flitting like a fairy from leaf to flower, was but 

 yesterday the repulsive maggot, revelling in the veriest 

 filth of decaying nature. The grub to-day drags its 

 slimy shape through the slums of earth on which it 



