APIS. 
349 
cations. The whole hive, its entrance and the immedi¬ 
ate vicinity, and far around is jocund with the bustle 
and the buzz of the busy little creatures going and 
coming; those returning are all laden, although some do 
not appear so, but these are conveying riches home 
within them, as they are returning from their excur¬ 
sions with their honeybag well filled. There is wel¬ 
coming recognition at the entrance to the hive, where, 
on its broad platform, they all alight, and there many 
are to be seen touching each other with their an- 
tennse, or refreshing themselves by the vibrations of 
their wings, and in doing this they often raise them¬ 
selves on the hind legs, or they are resting for a few r 
seconds before thev enter. Others are to be seen arriv- 
«/ 
ing unrecognizable from a coloured envelope of pollen 
which mantles them. The incessant hum that accom¬ 
panies these proceedings is like the mildest tones of 
the surge of the distant sea, or the inarticulate 
buzz of the voice of large crowds. In this seeming 
confusion all obey the strictest order, for each attends 
to his own business only ; there is no collision or loss 
of time or labour, each one fulfilling precisely its own 
mission. At this period the hive is a perfect model of 
order, neatness, and beauty. The combs we have seen 
so rapidly growing are to be filled, and fresh cells are 
being constantly constructed. The honey there stored 
from the gradual gatherings of these active harvesters 
is partly to be reserved for the winter’s needs, and is 
carefully husbanded, for each of these cells is, when 
filled, closed by a covercle of wax moulded as it is sup¬ 
plied to the operator in concentric circles, commencing 
at the edge, and each circle being completed before an¬ 
other is begun, and not in a spiral twist towards the 
