THE HIVE BEE, 
259 
mature and tender grubs. Most of the nests are fixed to leaves, 
and are different forms, according to the species which made 
them. They are mostly fixed to the under sides of the leaf, so 
that the weight causes the leaf to bend and to form a natural 
roof above them. The shape of the nest seems to depend much 
on the character of the plant to which it is fixed. Those that 
are fastened to reeds are long and slender, and generally much 
narrower than the sword-shaped leaf on which they rest. Others, 
which are fastened to short and broad leaves, adapt themselves 
so closely to the shape of the leaf, that, if removed, they would 
enable anyone to conjecture the form of the leaf upon which 
they had been fixed. 
One such nest is very remarkable. In general form it bears 
a singular resemblance to the nest of the fairy martin, though 
its materials are entirely different. The nest is flask-shaped, 
and its base is fastened to a leaf which it almost covers. The 
body of the nest is oval, and the entrance, which is small, is 
placed at the end of a well-marked neck. The shell of the 
nest is extremely thin, not in the least like the loose, papery 
structure of an ordinary wasp-nest, nor the pasteboard-like 
material which defends the nest of the Chartergus. It is rather 
fragile, and -in thickness is almost double that of the paper on 
which this account is printed. 
The name of the species which builds this curious nest is 
Polybia sedulci, and the specimen was brought from Brazil. 
For the reasons which have been given at the beginning of 
this chapter, the Hive Bee has been reckoned among the Social 
Insects. 
The Bee has always been one of the most interesting insects 
to mankind, on account of the direct benefit which it confers 
upon the human race. There are many other insects which are 
in reality quite as useful to us, and indeed are indispensable, 
but which we neglect because we are ignorant of their labours. 
The Bee, however, furnishes two powerful and tangible argu- 
ments in its favour — namely, honey and wax — and is sure, 
therefore, to enlist our sympathies in its behalf. 
