80 TREATISE ON THE 
bursts, and a small lively worm is deposited 
at the bottom. The nursing Bees instantly 
enter upon their vocation, and administer a 
copious supply of liquid food, of which fa- 
rina, honey, and probably water, are the in- 
gredients. As the larva increases in growth, 
the attention of the Bees in nourishing it is 
augmented and indeed unremitting, for at 
whatever time we inspect a brood-comb, we 
shall observe hundreds of nurses with their 
bodies inserted in the supplying of the wants 
of the infant progeny. Although in the ver- 
micular state, and consequently without feet, 
the larvee are capable of moving in a spiral 
direction. During the first three days, their 
motion is so slow as to be scarcely percepti- 
ble, and they have been observed to perform 
two complete revolutions in not less than two 
hours. The slightest movement of the nurse 
Bees, approaching to minister to their wants, 
is sufficient to attract them to their food, 
which they devour most voraciously, and it 
is unsparingly lavished upon them. At first 
the liquor is nearly insipid, but acquires gra- 
