bill; then takes its place on the branch of a tree near, and awaits its portion of the spoil. A share of the honey is always left for the bird, as it would be considered wrong to rob it of what it has so truly earned, or in any way to hurt so useful a creature.

When the honey is taken, which is done by burning grass at the entrance of their dwelling and making the bees stupid with the smoke, the honey-bird will often lead to a second, or even to a third nest. It is common for the person following it to whistle while on the way; and the natives are so fond of the honey, that they will leave their preparation for the most exciting pleasures of the chase, if they hear the call of the honey-guide, and see its little form flitting before them. This curious bird, perhaps, finds itself unable to make war with the bees, or to get at the honey without more powerful help, and is thus led to invite the assistance of man. The wild bee of southern Africa corresponds in appearance with our own domestic garden-bee.

Though now so common with us, the honey

bee is thought not to be a native of our country, but to have been brought here by some of the early immigrants who came to make their home upon our shores. In many instances they left the protection of man, and spread into the interior of the country, a little before the white settlers took possession of it; and it is said that, as the bee advances, the Indian and the buffalo retire before them. It is probable that not very many years have passed away since the hum of the bee was unheard in the vast regions on the western side of the Allegheny mountains, now so thickly inhabited, and where so much honey is produced. No wonder, then, that the poor Indian should call them the "white man's fly," and when he saw a swarm of bees make its appearance, in its flight over some wide prairie of the west, should say, "The white man is coming," and feel that the beautiful country, then all his own, would soon be no longer a home for him and his race.

The Creator, by whose wisdom this little insect was first made, gave it also the skill to contrive and the power to construct its comb,

and carry on its labours, whether in holes of the rocks or trees, or in the convenient hive. He formed its body, so curious in all its parts, and each so exactly adapted to the use for which it was intended. The largest and most powerful animals in the world, the huge elephant, the patient camel, or the noble horse, are not more remarkable, as the work of the Creator, than the little bee. When we look upon these, and all his works, we feel that, though they speak not in words, they yet seem silently to declare to every one, "God made us: He is almighty in goodness, in wisdom, and in power!"

O Thou, to whom all creatures bow

Within this earthly frame,

Through all the world, how great art thou!

How glorious is thy name!

CHAPTER II.

THE QUEEN, OR MOTHER OF THE HIVE-THE DRONESTHE WORKERS.

THE honey-bee never lives alone; but always in a family, or society, with many of its own species. None but the wild bees are obliged to take care of themselves, and provide a place for their own dwelling; for very convenient hives are built for the domestic bees, where they find shelter and a comfortable home. These hives, whether made of straw, boards, or glass, are merely the necessary outside covering: the city of the bee is built within the hive. Here we must look for her cunning work, the streets, the houses, the palaces, which she contrives; and here are to be found her numerous family.

The family or society in each hive is always composed of three classes of bees: the queen, the drones, and the workers. The queen is the mother, as well as the sovereign of the

The Queen of the Hive.

hive. In shape, she is more slender than the other bees, her body is much longer and tapers gradually to a point. Her legs are longer than theirs, but her wings are much shorter, reaching but little more than half the length of her body. She is armed with a bent or curved sting, but she does not often use it, except in her wars with other queens. The colour of her back is dark-brown, but the under part of her body is lighter, more of a bright orange-colour.

The queen bee does no work, and she is treated with the greatest respect and attention by all the other bees. Although the hive is dark, they always know their queen. If she is killed, or by any accident they are deprived of her, they appear to be entirely without com