12 
THE HONEY-MAKERS. 
a fly, a gnat, or a bee, your conversation will be 
a sort of demonstration of His power whose hand 
formed them ; for the wisdom of the workman is 
commonly perceived in that which is of little 
size.” 
The honey-bee is a social insect, the compan- 
ion of man and the pioneer of civilization. Well 
known to the ancients, and still more extensively 
found among modern nations, it has always been 
an interesting study to all lovers of the useful and 
the beautiful in God’s creation. It is related of 
an ancient philosopher that for nearly threescore 
years he made this little creature his sole study ; 
and another passed his days in the forests, observ- 
ing and recording the habits of this wonderful 
insect. 
Poets, too, have given to the bee many of their 
most beautiful verses, and drawn from its habits 
many useful lessons. One of Virgil’s pastoral 
poems is fragrant with what he aptly terms 
“ The heaven-sent gift of aerial honcv,” 
.and the musical hum of the bee is continually 
heard over all his Italian fields. Every child 
knows the familiar words of Watts : — 
