106 
THE HONEY-MAKERS. 
It is an interesting question, What can be the 
motive of the bee in selecting this showy flower, 
and adorning its home with the scarlet leaves ? 
Does the brilliant color please her taste ? And 
why should not an insect be pleased with colors ? 
Who knows but that she has a perception of the 
beautiful and the pleasing ? 
Some one has spoken of the poppy bee in these 
lines. 
“Royal cradles lined with down, 
By plume surmounted, or by crown ! 
There’s a chamber in the earth 
With a cradle in that dwelling, 
Furnished for a humble birth, 
Yet all your workmanship excelling 
Far as the lily’s arch of gold 
Outshone King Solomon’s of old. 
“Crimson tapestry lines the wall, 
Crimson curtains graceful fall 
Round the tender nurseling’s bed; 
And beside it, heaped on high, 
Luscious food, from flow'rets shed, 
Waits his wants, a rich supply 
Say by whom this chnmber drest, 
Who can be its looked-for guest? 
