WORKERS. 7 



hatched in fhorter cells ; but the dimenfions 

 of a cell cannot alter the fexual parts, only as 

 to Jtze, and not the male organs into female. 



Their labour feems to be indif criminate : 

 they build the combs, nurfe and fuftain the 

 young, colled honey, and defend the hive 

 againft all invaders. For cleanlinefs they 

 are remarkable ; have a quick and exten- 

 five fmell, either for honey or honey-dew ; 

 but are not difgufted with many odours 

 ofFenfive to us, as paint, tar, urine, &c. 

 partaking fometimes of fuch fubftances as 

 are pernicious to them. Forefeeing im- 

 pending ftorms, they make a precipitate re- 

 treat in great multitudes. 



When firji placed in a hive they work 

 night and day, taking repofe by turns, and 

 lleeping in clufters. They can readily dif- 

 tinguifh the bees of their own hive from all 

 others; and highly refent the killing, or 

 even diiturbing, any bees of the fame apiary, 

 with vengeance attacking the aggreflbr. 



As probably the following novel and cu- 

 rious difcoveries may be pleafing to natu- 

 ralifts, their infertion will not offend prac- 

 titioners. 



B 4 CHAP. 



