HYMENOPT E R A. 
55 
the powder two fmallbafkets appended to their hind 
legs ; each of thefe bafkets may contain about the fize 
•of a fmall vetch ; and this is the wax in its undigeffed 
ffate. 
As foon as any bee, thus laden, appears near the 
hive, othcis go out to meet it, and fwallow down the 
un-wrought wax ; their ftomachs being the labora¬ 
tory where it is converted into genuine wax. This 
operation being done, each individual difgorges it in 
the foim of dough, and then moulds it into cakes of 
an admirable ftru&ure. 
From the neclareous effluvia of flowers, the bees 
collect the noney by means of their probofcis ; an 
aflomfhmg piece of mechamfm, confifbmg of more 
than twenty parts. 
Entering the hive, the infeff difgorges the honey into 
the cells, that it may ferve for winter fubfiflence ; or 
elfe they fhretch out their probofcis, and prefent it to 
the labouring bees. 
t 
Heat is the liie of thefe infe£ts; the leaft degree of cold 
benumbs them; and unlefs they are all crouded together 
they perifh. Their enemies are the wafp, and the 
hornet, who with their teeth rip them open to fuck 
out the honey contained in their bladder. Sparrows 
nave oeen feen with one in their bill and another in 
each claw. The wax-moth, a fpecies of grub, fixes it- 
lelf, in their hives, and eats up their honey. 
The 
