28 
UNDER THE PLANTAIN LEAF 
did. There would be some pleasure 
in living if it were not for having 
to feed them—the greedy things!” 
“And now, Miss Bee, how is it 
with your larvae? They do not get 
their own living, do they?” 
“Indeed they do not,” said the bee 
mournfully. 
“Our larvae, also, have to be fed,” 
said the ant; “so here again we are 
alike. But the other insects who 
have four stages * of growth do not 
have to feed their larvae, which go 
around and feed themselves.” 
“What a lucky thing!” exclaimed 
the others. 
“It is only the hymenoptera, 
among these four-growth insects, that 
are obliged to feed their young.” 
