52 LEAVES FROM AN APRIL JOURNAL. 



adhering to the surface, thus spreading out to the 

 bees tables heaped up with breadstuffs ; food indis- 

 pensable, for the nourishment of the helpless larva 

 at home. How have these insects found their way 

 to this bread mart, which is perhaps a mile away 

 from their hives ? What special intelligence told 

 them that on this particular morning the few 

 flowers of this allspice were ready for harvesting ? 

 Do they not search for their food, as persons for 

 maple sap ; guided by their many powerful eye- 

 lenses, and aided by nice auditory organs and keen 

 scent ? 



I see their legs sag by means of the burdensome 

 weight, as they fly before a cluster or fascicle, to 

 inspect each little flower. If one does not suit 

 them, they suddenly drop or move sideways to 

 another, as if struck by some invisible force. How 

 wide awake they ai'e on this sunny day ! Their 

 many faceted eyes have perhaps multiplied me 

 into a crowd. If I approach them too closely they 

 change their places in a good-natured sort of a 

 way, as if they did not have the power to send me 

 off in disgraceful retreat. There is a character 

 displayed in their manner of flying that denotes 

 an intelligence beyond that of the clumsy blue- 

 bottle or the aimless butterflies. 



