COMMON HUMBLE-BEE. 
247 
ply, taking care each time to renew the scaling ; and 
this is continued till their transformation into the 
nymph state takes place, when the feeding ceases, 
and the cell is finally closed. And, lastly, we find 
displayed in different places throughout the nest, and 
stowed away, as it were, in odd corners, a number 
of small cups or cells filled with honey. A peculi- 
arity with regard to these deserves notice, — they are 
never sealed like those of the domestic bee, because 
they are not designed for winter stores of which 
they have no need, but for daily use. 
The cells being prepared for the reception of the 
brood, the mother proceeds to lay her eggs. These 
are not fixed on one end, as is the case with those 
of the domestic bee, but are huddled together without 
any order, and to the number often, as already stated, 
of six or seven. This number is deposited at one 
tim<3 by the mother, who does not quit the cell till 
she has finished her laying. She has good reasons 
for so doing ; — even while in the act of laying, at- 
tempts are eagerly made by the workers to seize and 
devour the eggs, while she as eagerly and courage- 
ously protects them. Sometimes she pursues the 
marauders to the extremity of the comb, while, in 
the meantime, others, watching the opportunity, steal 
upon the cell and carry off the eggs. As soon as she 
has made her deposit, therefore, she carefully seals 
up the cell, and takes her station on the cover, fre- 
quently wheeling her body round, as if to defend her 
progeny, and doggedly keeping guard for six or 
eight hours. If she can withstand their voracity for 
