VIII 
THE PROGRESS OF THE RACE 
[97] 
EFORE closing this book —as we 
have closed the hive on the torpid 
silence of winter — I am anxious to meet 
the objection invariably urged by those 
to whom we reveal the astounding indus- 
try and policy of the bees. Yes, they 
will say, that is all very wonderful ; but 
then, it has never been otherwise. The 
bees have for thousands of years dwelt 
under remarkable laws, but during those 
thousands of years the laws have not 
varied. For thousands of years they 
have constructed their marvellous combs, 
whereto we can add nothing, wherefrom 
we can take nothing, — combs that unite 
363 
