2 
THE HIVE BEE. 
The Arthropoda are therefore split up into classes, 
and now we find our bee in the class Insecta.^ or 
insects. 
This class differs from the others in many im- 
portant characteristics. Insects are provided with one 
pair of antennie, and six legs only when in the per- 
fect state. Their body is separated into three distinct 
divisions, viz., the head, thorax, and abdomen ; and 
they pass through four stages of existence, called 
respectively egg, larva, pupa, and imago. 
By a further sub-division into orders we find 
our insect belongs to the order of Hymenoptera 
(Gr. hume7i.^ a membrane ; pteron^ a wing). They 
are characterised by possessing four membranous 
wings, of which the anterior, or front pair, are the 
larger of the two. 
Of all orders into which insects are separated, that 
of the Hymenoptera contains the largest number 
remarkable for development of instinctive powers 
and social qualities. Amongst these we find, in 
company with our bees, ants, wasps, ichneumons, 
and others. 
These are, therefore, again separated into families, 
and here, amongst the Apidce, which feed their young 
entirely on pollen, or honey and pollen, we find, 
besides the honey bee, the humble, carpenter, mason, 
and other bees. This family is yet further sub- 
divided into genera, of which there are nineteen, and 
here we find our bee belonging to the genus Apis., in 
which we find several species — only one, Mellifica., 
being indigenous to Great Britain. 
