INTRODUCTION. 
Does not the contemplation of this fact teach us a profitable 
lesson of what great results may arise from persevering and 
associated labor ? 
When we view the skill exhibited in the building of the 
beautiful comb—so true in form, so wonderfully systematic 
in construction, and all completed by a crowd of bees ina 
dark hive—and often at night, without the aid of sun, moon 
or stars—we are amazed at the skill of these wonderful 
architects ! 
In fructifying the floweis, too, bees present us with a field 
of study so extensive that we dare not enter, further than to 
say that but for their oft-repeated visits, many a beautiful 
flower would in a short time cease to bloom—aye, and also to 
live! Many plants absolutely require the visits of bees or 
other insects to remove their pollen-masses, and thus to 
fertilize them. Hence, Darwin wisely remarks, when speak- 
ing of clover and heart’s-ease : ‘‘ No bees, no seed; no seed, 
no increase of the flower. The more visits from the bees, 
the more seeds from the flower; the more seeds from the 
flower, the more flowers from the seeds.”’ Darwin mentions 
the following experiment: ‘‘ Twenty heads of white clover, 
visited by bees, produced 2.990seeds; while twenty heads so 
protected that bees could not visit them, produced not one 
seed.’ 
Thus is infinite Wisdom displayed by Nature on every 
hand! Nothing is created in vain; each has its proper 
sphere, and each its appropriate work to perform. We 
admire ‘‘ the grand harmony of design,” and in meditative 
mood we are soon 
“Lost in wonder, love and praise !” 
Tren we may seem to hear the merry hum of myriads of 
insects, mingling with the joyous song of thousands of 
benuliful birds adoring their Creator in Matin Song—all 
Nuture joining in the chorus of praise—singing— 
“the hand that made us is divine !” 
As the song ascends to Heaven, billions of plants, and 
shrubs, and trees, and flowers burst into bloom, and bid their 
sweet verfurme to unite with Nature’s Chorus, and present a 
“ thank-otfering” to the Great Father of all, ‘‘ who openeth 
His hand, aud satisfieth the desire of every living thing.” 
