192 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
strongly put, but there is enough of reality 
established in the history of ant life to give 
probability to their approximate truthfulness, 
and certainly sufficient to stimulate continued 
and closer observations in this department of 
natural science. 
“Another class of Hymenoptera, the bees, 
are equally interesting objects of study, and 
somewhat similar in habits, and far more profit¬ 
able, as they furnish one of our table luxuries 
in the rich stores of honey which they gather 
from the gardens and fields. But as the habits 
of these useful servants are generally better 
known than those of any of their compeers, 
detail is not necessary. They are wonderful 
architects, exact geometricians, skilful chem¬ 
ists, and patterns of industry and political econ¬ 
omy. Surely, there is not only sweetness in 
their well-stored honeycombs for the palate, 
but richer lessons of wisdom for the devout 
mind in every study into the manner and thrift 
of the home of the bees. 
“ If there is desire to observe the grotesque 
in Nature, the walking-leaf will furnish a rich 
subject of investigation. Should this strange 
creature not meet the demands of curiosity. 
