64 TREATISE ON THE 
fact is very easily observable, especially in 
those cells which are constructed, as some- 
times happens, against the glass, and where 
that substance forms one side of the cell. 
There they are, the fatigued laborers, stretch- 
ed at full length, with their heads at the bot- 
tom, and every limb apparently in a relaxed 
state, while the little body is seen heaving 
gently from the process of respiration. Hu- 
ber thinks he has ascertained that there are 
two kinds of workers in a hive, one of which 
he calls wax workers, and the other nurses. 
It does not appear, however, that naturalists 
were acquainted with the different functions, 
if the difference really does exist, of the two 
classes. 'The office of the first class, accord- 
ing to Huber, is not only to collect honey, 
which both kinds do, but also to elaborate 
the wax and construct the combs. The par- 
ticular function of the other, is to take care 
of the young. They may be distinguished 
m entering the hive by carefully examining 
their shape, the wax workers having their 
bellies somewhat cylindrical, while those of 
