Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/133

Rh of cire brute, or crude wax. It consists of an infinite number of small globules, which, in exploding in consequence of the application of moisture, shed a subtle essence over the pistils of the flower, and thus effect the fecundation of the plant. The bees eagerly set about collecting this nutritious substance as soon as the season affords it, and continue to do so throughout the summer, not only for immediate use, but also for storing up against the season when it is not to be obtained abroad. They may be observed upon the anthers of flowers, gathering this substance with unceasing activity, and forming it into little lenticular-shaped pellets which they place in the baskets in their third pair of legs. They often roll their bodies in the flower-cup, and then brush off the pollen adhering to them; and they are sometimes seen tearing in pieces the capsules containing it, in order to get at their object. The colour varies according to the hue of the flower from which it is collected. In spring it is generally of a bright yellow or orange, as these are the prevailing colours of the early flowers, such as crocuses, snow-drops, turnips, furze, &c. The bee, in each excursion in search of this substance, visits only one species of flower. This is proved by the fact that the little balls, with which they are loaded, are uniformly of one unmixed colour—a wise provision of nature; for thereby is the insect instinctively led to collect, at the same moment, those particles only of farina, which being homogeneous, will form the