LITTLE LANCE-BEARERS 323 
hospitality forbids their turning an intruder 
away with violence, and so clever and nice man¬ 
nered is the guest, and so absolutely unable to 
take a hint, that once it is safely domiciled under 
a roof, it never leaves, and apparently its pres¬ 
ence is shortly accepted with resignation, if not 
with cordiality. Time was when people believed 
that the offspring of these bald-faced spongers 
eventually starved out the children of the real 
owners of the colony; but now we know that this 
is not true. 
“ There are numerous species of bumblebees, 
the family insignia being a thick hairy body, with 
the hairs frequently arranged in colored bands. 
They are found in all parts of the world from 
the equator to the far northern limits of vegeta¬ 
tion, but are more common in temperate climates. 
Originally no bumblebees were found in Aus¬ 
tralia or New Zealand, but they have been im¬ 
ported and acclimatized for a particular service 
which these little warriors render to mankind. I 
think perhaps you know about this,” Uncle John 
paused, smiling inquiringly as he noted the eager 
expressions about him. 
“ Yes, indeed,” chimed Max. “ No one can 
grow red clover without bumblebees. And red 
clover is the farmer’s most prized crop, not only 
because of its value for cattle feed, but as a cover 
crop for making over worn-out land.” 
