64 PLATE CCCCXCII. 



The Common Honey Bee is rarely found in a wild ftate in Britain: 

 fuch as occur in this ftate of nature build neits in the hollows of de- 

 cayed trees, which they inhabit in large focieties, and are faid to ob- 

 ferve the fame order and policy in the regulation of their community 

 as when domefticated in the hive. The figures in the annexed plate 

 are from examples difcovered wild. 



The two upper figures reprefent the male and female, that in the 

 lower part of the plate is the figure of the neuter. The male or drone 

 is diftinguifhed by having the eyes remarkably large, and approximate 

 behind, and alfo by the abdomen being robuft, and fomewhat obtufe J 

 in the female, or queen bee, the eyes are fmall and remote, the wings 

 fmaller, and the abdomen remarkably large, elongated, and conic. 

 The neuters are the working bees, and it is the office of thofe induf- 

 ^trious creatures to collecl: the ne6tareous juices of flowers for making 

 honey and wax, to feed and protect the young, and defend their fociety 

 againft every affailant. 



PLATE 



