82 
THE HONEY-MAKERS. 
Looks desolate and wild ; with here and there 
A helpless number, who the ruined state 
Survive, lamenting, weak, cast out to death.” 
It should be our aim never to cause needless 
discomfort or pain to any of our fellow-creatures, 
but through our whole life to carry sunshine and 
happiness, instead of sorrow and tears. 
Bees, wiser than men, ventilate their dwell- 
ings with great care. They seem to understand 
the value of pure air, and their manner of secur- 
ing it is among the most marvelous achievements 
of instinct. It seems almost impossible that a 
hive containing many thousand insects, and com- 
municating with the open air with but one small 
opening at the bottom, and even that usually 
obstructed by the throng passing in and out, 
should contain pure air. But the bees, as easily 
suffocated as any other insect, are equal to the 
task, and keep the hive well ventilated. The 
air is renewed through the door of the hive, 
where an inward current is produced by the 
agitation of the wings of the inmates. Some of 
the workers are always employed in this way, 
and constantly relieve each other. They station 
