28 LABOUR OF THE BEE. 



entrance of the hive proceed to dry and clean them, before 

 they be permitted to enter the hive. If they be in want of 

 food, it is pleasing to behold with what solicitude they ad- 

 minister to the wants of their famished companions, project- 

 ing their proboscis towards them, on which the globule of 

 honey is distinctly perceptible. 



The regular distribution of labour amongst the bees is a 

 circumstance so very surprising, that it would scarcely be 

 credited, except by those who have bestowed the most minute 

 attention upon their actions. Some of them perform the 

 duty of sentinels at the entrance, preventing the ingress of 

 all strangers and enemies ; others are employed in traversing 

 the fields in search of their winter stores, or collecting the 

 materials wherewith to construct their combs ; whilst others 

 employ themselves at home in the erection of their cells, 

 according to the most correct geometrical proportions, and 

 with a skill, which far exceeds the utmost extent of human 

 ingenuity. 



" Labor omnibus unus, 

 Mane ruunt portis, nusquam mora." 



Huber has discovered that a certain number of bees are 

 regularly appointed as the body-guard of the queen, follow- 

 ing her in her travels through her dominions, and assisting 

 her majesty in any predicament into which she may have 

 fallen. They have also a supply of provisions always ready 

 at hand, to administer to her majesty, should she be hungry ; 

 but on the other hand, these guards, according to Huber, 

 behave sometimes in a most impudent manner to their royal 

 mistress, such as would not be tolerated in any other mo- 

 narchy, than that of the bees. We will, however, leave this 

 discovery to the consideration of those, who have sufficient 

 credulity to believe in it, but for ourselves, we treat it as an 

 absurd and ridiculous fiction. 



The most incessant labour appears to be the leading prin- 

 ciple of action of the bees ; from the first glimpse of light to 



