14 HUMBLE CEEATUKES. 



insect races, and seek that group to which our com- 

 mon Hive-Bee belongs. The division of the Class by 

 naturalists into subclasses and orders has been effectedj 

 first, by a reference to the degree of metamorphosis 

 that the group undergoes; and, secondly, to the 

 absence or presence of wings, and, where these are 

 present, to their number and character. 



Thus, one group or subclass that undergoes no 

 apparent change is called ^metabola ; a second, in 

 which the metamorphosis, though perceptible, is not 

 complete, jyemimetabola ; and the third, or highest 

 subdivision, in which there is a complete transition 

 from the worm-like or larval state, first to the pupal 

 or motionless stage, and next to the imago or perfect 

 insect, when the actual metamorphosis is efi'ected, 

 and the creature bursts forth from its tomb, fully 

 fitted, both internally and externally, for its aerial 

 existence : — this subclass is called iTotometabola ; and 

 here we shall find our Honey-Bee, along with the 

 Beetle, Fly, and many other insects. 



On examining the wings of the Bee, we shall per- 

 ceive them to be four in number (PL II. fig. 1) : but 

 this is not a sufficiently unique feature in its organiza- 

 tion to enable us to determine the Order to which it 

 appertains; for there are several other orders, of widely 

 different types, such as the Coleoptera (Beetles), Le- 

 pidoptera (Butterflies), &c., all of which possess two 

 pairs of wiugs. We must look therefore at the cha- 

 racter of the wings themselves, and shall find them 

 to be of a firm, parchment-Mke texture hence it is that 



