THE HONEV-BEE. 
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of cire brute, or crude wax. It consists of an infinite 
number of small globules, which, in exploding in con- 
sequence of the application of moisture, shed a subtle 
essence over the pistils of the flower, and thus effect 
the fecundation of the plant. The bees eagerly set 
about collecting this nutritious substance as soon as 
the season affords it, and continue to do so throughout 
the summer, not only for immediate use, hut also for 
storing up against the season when it is not to he ob- 
tained abroad. They may be observed upon the an- 
thers of flowers, gathering this substance with unceas- 
ing activity, and forming it into little lenticular-shaped 
pellets which they place in the baskets in their third 
pair of legs. They often roll their bodies in the 
flower- cup, and then brush off the pollen adhering to 
them ; and they are sometimes seen tearing in pieces 
the capsules containing it, in order to get at their 
object.* The colour varies according to the hue of 
the flower from which it is collected. In spring it is 
generally of a bright yellow or orange, as these are 
the prevailing colours of the early flowers, such as 
crocuses, snow-drops, turnips, furze, &c. The bee, 
in each excursion in search of this substance, visits 
only one species of flower. This is proved by the fact 
that the little balls, with which they are loaded, are 
uniformly of one unmixed colour — a wise provision 
of nature ; for thereby is the insect instinctively led 
to collect, at the same moment, those particles only 
of farina, which being homogeneous, will form the 
Feburier, Traits des Abeilles. 
