§ I. PRELIMINARY REMARKS.
ALTHOUGH the principal object in compiling the present work has been to induct our readers into the way of keeping bees according to the most recent and approved methods, it requires little apology for thus apparently deviating from such prescribed course by devoting a small portion of our space to a description of the anatomy of the wonderful little creatures whose labours all our contrivances are intended to assist, especially since a knowledge of their habits is not only interesting to the bee-keeper, but enables him to conduct his apiary in accordance therewith.
In a treatise of this kind, intended to be of a popular character, we shall endeavour to place these details before our readers in a concise and simple manner, avoiding as much as may be technical terms, and referring those who wish to go more deeply into this branch of the subject to the works of Kirby and Spence, Samuelson, etc. In the course of our descriptions we shall frequently refer to the steel engravings, Plates I. and II., drawn by Mr. E. W. Robinson, artist to the Entomological Society of London, who has most carefully dissected bees we sent him for the purpose, subjected these dissections to the microscope, and skilfully produced the accompanying illustrations, which will so much assist the purpose we have in view. These delineations are so clear that a little explanation will suffice to impart a full understanding of the various parts of the bee.
Because the bee is so small an insect we are not to neglect investigating its organisation. "The bee is little among such as fly, but her fruit is the chief of sweet things." The enlightened Boyle, when contemplating the wonders of Nature, declared that his astonishment had been more excited by the mite than by the elephant; and that his admiration dwelt "not so much on the docks as on the watches of creation."[16]
[16] Dr. Bevan.
The Figures i, 2, and 3, in Plate L, respectively represent the exterior forms of the queen, the worker, and the drone. They are thus coloured for the purpose of illustrating the Yellow Italian Alp, or Ligurian bee, now deservedly held in such high estimation by bee-keepers, and of whose good qualities we have already remarked. All the bees constituting a stock may not be of quite so bright a colour as those represented: the old bees differ in appearance from the younger ones—darkened bodies and ragged wings, not grey hairs and wrinkled faces, are the signs of old age—so that with bees (especially Italians), as with the gentler sex of the human race, there is appointed a period both of youth and beauty.
The anatomical structure of our English bee is the same in kind as that of the Italian;[17] a description of the one will therefore serve for the other. The most apparent difference consists in the colour. The English bee is of a blackish brown; both varieties have their bodies wholly covered with close-set hairs. These hairs deserve particular attention, because, although so small, each hair is feather-shaped, consisting of a stem and branches somewhat analogous to the feathers of birds. This form is extremely serviceable to the insect, when revelling in the corolla of flowers, to collect the farina, and, besides being thus useful, is peculiarly adapted for retaining animal heat.[18]
[17] Naturalists consider the Italian bee a Very superior race, and that the various organs are stronger and of greater capacity; it is however not easy to define the precise anatomical superiority.
[18] "Naturalist's Library."
The insect is divided into three parts—the head, the thorax or chest, and the abdomen.
Plate II.
E. W. Robinson, Delt. et Scp. 1865.