DIALOGUE XXXI. 
APIS^ OR BEE. A. MELLIFICA, OR HONEY 
BEE. 
LUCY, This morning, mamma, you 
appointed for the history of the bee, 
which I am sure I shall find even more 
amusing than that of the wasp. 
Mother, The accounts of all the spe- 
cies of bee are most curious ; and it is 
surprising that naturalists have been able 
to discover so much of their manners 
and way of life^ when we consider the 
difficulty of closely observing an insect, 
which is so irritable when disturbed, 
and so very apt to use its sharp sting. 
Whole volumes have been written on 
the honey bee alone ; but I will try to 
give you a short and clear account of 
it. 
