THE BEE. 21 



shape and appearance, is one of the leaves of chaff 

 that surround a grain of wheat. It is of an elon- 

 gated form — ^not oval, but pointed at one end; and 

 the similarity between the two objects goes still far- 

 ther, for both have a bright external appearance. 

 But here the resemblance ends ; and what a contrast 

 is revealed by an examination of the two objects 

 under the microscope ! 



The piece of chaff presents a uniform glazed sur- 

 face, whilst in the eye of the Bee, which is much 

 darker in colour, the brightness referred to arises 

 from its peculiar structure j in fact, it is owing to 

 the presence of about 3500 small but perfect hexa- 

 gonal lenses fitting closely together, and disposed in 

 regular rows over the whole circumference. 



You will not be surprised, after this statement, to 

 hear that the compound eye of a Bee is one of the 

 most exquisitely constructed instruments in nature 

 (we are almost tempted to say the most exqiusite), 

 and one which, small though it be, displays the power 

 and wisdom of the Omnipotent in as striking a 

 manner as do His most imposing and majestic 

 works. 



Let us therefore solicit your careful attention, 

 whilst we endeavour to describe the details of its 

 wonderftd structure ; and we can promise that you 

 win be well requited for the trouble of accompanying 

 fts in the investigation. 



In order to afford some idea of the general charac- 

 ter and operation of one of these compound eyes, we 



