CHAPTER II. 



THE WORKERS. 



The workers are the smallest bees of the family. A 

 worker's head is of a triangular shape, as well as that of 

 the other classes, — the abdomen is connected with the 

 trunk or thorax, by a small ligament, of a thread-like 

 nature, and it is composed of six scaly rings, at the apex 

 of which, is the sting, which is full of barbed points like 

 an arrow, which can only be seen by the aid of a strong 

 magnifier, and which prevents the extraction of the 

 sting when darted into one's flesh, causing a portion of 

 the entrails of the bee to be drawn out with it, and thus 

 causing death to the insect. 



Every bee has four wings ; and on queens the num- 

 ber of wings is more preceptible than on workers or 

 drones. They have six feet. — The eyes are situated upon 

 the upper surface of the head. — Every bee has a pair of 

 antenna, of a fine wiry flexible nature, protruding dia- 

 gonally from the head, which are used as organs oi feel- 

 ing, or perhaps of smell, since a stranger-bee is known 

 at once.on applying the antennae to it. 



