The Worker 153 



so unpardonable as the wasting of nectar ; it prefers un- 

 ceasing work and an early deatli. 



Much floundering about in flowers and flying against the 

 wind tear and disfigure the wings so that an old field-bee 

 is sometimes a sorry-looking sight. 



Moffett says of these : — 



" Oftentimes being over-wearied, they faint in their return 

 to their own private cottages, not being able to attain them. 

 And because some of them in regard of their roughness 

 are unfit to labour, by rubbing their bodies against stones 

 and other hard matter they are smoothed, afterwards 

 addressing themselves most stoutly to their business." 



This whimsical remedy for old age is matched by their 

 reputed manner of performing their toilet. 



" When they have refreshed themselves with flying about, 

 then they bath and wash themselves clean, and afterwards 

 they lightly rub themselves smooth with leaves.'' 



The queens live several years, but the drones like the 

 workers have a brief span of life, which, short as it is by 

 nature, by art is made yet shorter. 



Although bees are intolerant of disease and helplessness 

 they are not unkind to those upon whom misfortune has 

 fallen, and a bee with a full honey-sac is always ready to 

 feed a hungry sister. 



It is amusing to watch the bees on a window pane feed 

 each other, particularly when new arrivals are introduced 

 to those already in confinement. 



As soon as they recognize each other as from the same 

 hive the bee fresh from the fields is invited to share her 

 spoils and she stands with raised head, open jaws, and pre- 

 sumably open mouth while her hungry sister inserts her 

 long tongue and sucks the honey disgorged on her 

 account. 



Sometimes the begging bee is a little too exacting or per- 



