In the thighs of the hind legs there are two cavities, edged with hair, and into these, as into a basket, the animal sticks the rolls or pellets which it has collected. Thus employed, the bee flies from flower to flower, increasing its store and adding to its stock of wax, until the ball upon the thigh becomes as big as a grain of pepper; by this time, having got a sufficient load, it returns, making the best of its way to the hive. The lower part of the body or belly of the bee is divided into six rings, which sometimes shorten the body by slipping one over the other. It contains within it, besides the intestines, the honey-bag, the venom-bag, and the sting. The honey-bag is as transparent as crystal, containing the honey that the bee has brushed from the flowers; of which the greater part is carried to the hive, and poured into the cells of the honey-comb, while the remainder serves for the bee’s own nourishment; for, during the summer, it never touches what has been laid up for winter. The sting, which serves to defend this little animal from its enemies, is composed of three parts; the sheath, and two darts which are extremely small and penetrating. Both the darts have several small points or barbs, like those of a fish-hook, which render the sting more painful, and make the darts rankle in the wound. Still, however, this instrument would be a very slight defence, did not the bee poison the wound. The sheath, which has a sharp point, makes the first impression, which is followed by that of the darts, and then the venomous liquor is poured in. The sheath, with the barbs, sometimes sticks so fast in the wound, that the animal is obliged to leave it behind; in consequence of which, the bee soon after dies, and the wound is considerably inflamed. It might at first appear well for mankind, if the bee were without its sting; but upon recollection it will be found that the little animal would then have too many rivals in sharing its labors. A hundred other lazy animals, fond of honey, and hating labor, would intrude upon the sweets of the hive; and the treasure would be carried off for want of armed guardians to protect it. As the bee lays up a most delicious store, it was obviously necessary that it should have some extraordinary defence, and so the sting was provided. Is it not easy to see wisdom in this provision of nature? The most interesting point of view in which we can regard bees, is not as separate individuals, but as societies or communities. In this light, they indeed astonish us. It being necessary that their hives should be tight, the first thing is to stop up all the crevices, which they do with a kind of resinous gum, which resists the weather.