. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative. 542 SOCIETIES OF INSECTS I HIVE-BEE. arranged parallel to each other at a regular distance, and are united at intervals by little columns which serve to susj^end them (fig. 272). The whole is either hung in the air, lodged in the hollow of a tree, or buried in the ground; and it is sometimes enclosed in a general envelope, sometimes left un- covered, according to the species. 712. The same community of labour is observed in the ordinary Hive-Bees, which present to the intelligent observer a source of interesting occupation that scarcely ever fails.
. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative. 542 SOCIETIES OF INSECTS I HIVE-BEE. arranged parallel to each other at a regular distance, and are united at intervals by little columns which serve to susj^end them (fig. 272). The whole is either hung in the air, lodged in the hollow of a tree, or buried in the ground; and it is sometimes enclosed in a general envelope, sometimes left un- covered, according to the species. 712. The same community of labour is observed in the ordinary Hive-Bees, which present to the intelligent observer a source of interesting occupation that scarcely ever fails. The number and variety of instincts, each of them most per- fectly adapted to the end in view, which these Insects exhibit, is most wonderful; and many volumes have been written upon them, without by any means exhausting the subject. Nothing more than a very general sketch of these can be attempted in the present treatise; but the illustrations they afford of the general remarks heretofore made upon the nature of Instinct, are too valuable to be passecl-by. Each Hive contains but a single queen; and she is the only individual ordinarily capable of laying eggs. There are usually from 6 to 800 males or drones; and from 10,000 to 30,000 neuters or '•'working-bees" (fig. 283). In their natural condition Bees live in the hollows of trees : but they appear equally ready to avail themselves of the habitations jDrepared for them by j\[an. The cells of which their combs are composed, are built-up of -WoRKiKG Bee. the material that wc term waa^. Of this a part may be obtained direct from Plants, since it is secreted in greater or less abundance by several species ; but there seems to be no doubt, that Bees can elaborate it for themselves from the saccharine materials of their aliment (§155). The wax is separated in little scales, from between the segments of the abdomen; these scales are kneaded-together by the mandibles of the Insect, and are then applied to the construction of
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