American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-02-07
THE HONEY BEE.

eS inc lolloWlng synopsis OF q lecture
on the honey bee, at the Smithsonian
Institute, by DR.. Morris of Baltimore:
DR.. Morrisintroduced his address by
observing that it would be as easy to
write a book as an hours lecture or the
subject he had selected for the even
| Iing's discussion. Naturalists had writ
ten volumes on it; and yet all had not
been said. The honey bee is found in
all climates and countries of both the
Old and New Worlds, save in the most
northerly, where ice and snow prevail
throughout the year. Wherever the
sun shines and flowers bloom there will
the honey bee be found in company.
The first mention made in history, at
least indirectly, of this interesting and
everywhere popular animal is by Mo-
ses. Of the land of Canaan it is said
Eit Slowed with milk and honey. -
The bee deposites its stores in hollow
trees whence man and beast, and espe-
cially the bear and the fox, rifle the
sweet contents. The cochineal and
honey bee are the only insects cultiva-
ted by civilized society, and the latter
has been a themo of praise as we'll by
the ancients as the moderns.
DR.. Morris had no intention of teach
ing as to the modes of rearing bees;-
his only object waste give their natur-
al history. Let any one place him or
herself near hive of bees, that is, if
the person does not unfortunately hap
pen to be one Of that class against whom
bees, forsome unexplained reason have
a natural antipathy--and commence a
systematic observation. He will see
some coming to the hive laden with the
spoils ofthe fields, others leaving it in
a like manner to return. If cloud
should obscure the sun, the air will
swarm with returning bees fearful of a
storm, for they do not like to be caught
out in bad weather. He may also per-
ceivo--especially if the hive be made
of glass-certain bees busily taking off
the dead body of a colaborator, or clea-
ming the streets and alleys of the hive
from any dirt orimpurity that may have
gathered there; for bees are no less re-
markable for their cleanliness than
their industry, skilfulness an energy.
On this account it was that friend of
his, q teacher near Harrisburg, was
in the habit Of making the bee the ex-
emplar which he directed his pupils
always to copy. Some things in the
character of the bee are not so we'll to
initiate, fer they are occasionally the
victims of violent passions and cruel
rage, fighting to desperation.
/ There are three kinds of bees in
every hive. They are the queen bee,
the male or drone bee, and the work.
ers. All are necessary to the harmo-
NOUS and successful progress of the
little community. Their houses and
cells arcall constructed upon principles
high in geometrical science, so as to
ensure the greatest economy of space
and material. On this account, as well
as better to suit the round shape of
their bodies, the cells are hexagonal.--
AS to the material Of the cell, man
with all his sagacity, has never been
able to make it. This wax is secre-
tion from the body of the bee, and is
not elaborated in great abundance, so
that much economy is necessary in its
use. ltrequires twenty four hours to
prepare it. 1t is mistake to suppose
that bees gather honey from flowers;
they do no such thing. They gather o
material from which they afterwards
elaborate honey.
The nest or hive of the wild or hum
bic bee is q very rough and inartificial
afair compared with that Of our friend
the honey bee. In the construction of
the edifices of the latter, there are two
sets of workmen; the first, or wax ma
kers, are the mere hod carriers of the
hive, and are followed by the skilful ar
tificers, who in their turn are overlook
ed by single master eye, which sur
veys all operations as they proceed
Hooper, q naturalist, states that he
once saw such an overseer, who had
been temporarily absent, come and
have portion of the work done in his
absence pulled down and rebuilt. For
this Dr. M. could not vouch himself;
he gave it merely on the authority
stated. .
! The queen bee is the sovereign Of
tho hive. Without her inspiring pres.
ence no work goes on; all is confusion
and anarchy. Notwithstanding her
high character, she is murdercss and
destroysnumbers Of her own offspring
while yet grubs in their cocoons. This
howeveris provision of nature, and
not to be set to the prejudice Of the
bee. Her murders however, are not
allowed to go too far, for the hive in
| body objects when she becomee ovor