II. The Bee. “A BEE among the flowers in spring is one of the cheerfullest things that can be looked upon. Its life appears to be all enjoyment: so busy, and so pleased." Any one who has wandered about the fields during the warmer months will assuredly agree with this opinion of Paley. The very hum of the bee, as it flies past us on its pleasant errand, in quest of some sweet flower, or returning with its dainty load, is one of the most cheery of the voices of summer. The movement of the little creature, also, is full of meaning, and attracts the eye as curiously characteristic of its nature; it generally flies in lines more or less direct; we see here nothing of the idle, roaming, vagrant flutter of the gaudy butterfly, and nothing of the doubtful, hesitating, over-cautious pause of the plodding ant. The instincts of the bee are all lively and vigorous; it seems conscious that wherever grass grows, there some blossom will be found to reward its search, and it moves steadily onward until a head of clover, or perchance a prouder flower, offers the precious drop. And, alighting to gather its grateful harvest, how skillfully its work is carried on; other insects may show as much cleverness in attaining their end, but there are few indeed which accomplish their task so pleasantly. The wise little bee does no mischief; no violence marks her labors; the freshness of the flower remains unsullied by her passage; she leaves the gay petals and the green foliage alike uninjured; no plant suffers from her visits! There is nothing unsightly, nothing repelling or painful in any of her measures; all is order, nicety, and harmony. If we may believe Milton, to watch the bee at her task was a pleasure worthy of Paradise. Adam, when he awakens Eve, invites her to prune her vines, to prop her flowers, and to mark "How the bee Sits on the bloom, extracting liquid sweets." As a poetical accessory of rural life, the bee was much honored by the ancient writers, receiving at their hands far more notice than has fallen to her share in later times. The reader is already aware that the Fourth Georgic of Virgil, relating wholly to bees, takes the first rank among the most beautiful and perfect of Latin poems. Extracts from Sotheby's translations of this Georgic are given among the following Selections. It is amusing to note some of the errors and misconceptions of the master regarding the habits of those little creatures; and yet it is generally admitted, that from the great attention paid to them, the ancients had more correct notions regarding the bee than on any other subject of natural history. TO THE BEES. FROM THE GREEK OF ZONAS. Ye nimble, honey-making bees, Or bits of raisin sweet, Or down that decks the apple tribe, Come, nibble on, your vessels store May have a tasting for himself; That cuts away the combs, may leave For yourselves a little food. Translation of W. HAY ON A BEE'S NEST. FROM THE GREEK OF ANTIPHILUS. O beautiful bee homestead, An unbought blessing to man's life, Which neither plow nor hoe, Nor axe nor crooked sickle, Is needed to bestow; A tiny vessel-and no more— Wherein the busy bee From its small body liquid sweets Distilleth lavishly. Rejoice, ye blessed creatures! Regaling while ye rove, Winged workers of nectareous food, On all the flowers ye love. Translation of JOHN WILSON, THE BEE. FROM THE GREEK OF NICIAS, 280 B. C. Many-colored, sunshine-loving, Of early-blooming flowers- Anonymous Translator MANAGEMENT OF BEES. FROM THE FOURTH GEORGIC OF VIRGIL. * First, seek a station where no ruthless gale On many a bridge the bee may safely stand, Thyme breathe her soul of fragrance on the gale Thou aid their toil! with mud their walls o'erlay, Ah, fav'rite scenes! but now with gather'd sail |