2 HUMBLE CREATURES. 



well-established theories fading away and giving place 

 to others of a totally different character ; so much sOj 

 that it may with justice be said that we are still 

 engaged in studying the introduction to this branch 

 of natural science. 



The Bee, too, is peculiarly adapted not only for the 

 investigation of insect anatomy, but also to aid in 

 that of the progressive mental development of the 

 animal races. Its structure, external as well as in- 

 ternal, is extremely beautiful and complicated, pre- 

 senting numerous features, suited to its well-known 

 habits of life, that are found in no other creature; 

 and without reference to its wax- and honey-making 

 properties, which render it especially interesting to 

 man, we may add that its highly developed instinct- 

 ive faculties, which constitute the moving spring of 

 its various natural operations, cause it, in this respect, 

 to hold the first rank in the invertebrate province of 

 the Animal Kingdom; indeed some of its acts, if 

 performed by man instead of by one of the lower 

 animals, would be esteemed little short of miracles. 



You may perhaps be disposed, reader, to regard 

 this last assertion as somewhat exaggerated; but if 

 you will accompany us in the consideration of a few 

 of the phenomena of Bee-life, you will find that it is 

 fally borne out by well- acknowledged facts. 



Suppose yovirself transported on board of one of 

 those huge American steamers plying up and down 

 the Mississippi, and that, falling short of provisions, 

 you are some fine morning set on shore by the cap- 



