In Spring-time, when the sun with Taurus rides,
Pour fourth their populous youth about the hive
In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers
Fly to and fro, or on the smoothed plank,
The suburb of their straw-built citadel,
New rubbed with balm, expatiate and confer
Their state affairs: so thick the aëry crowd
Swarmed and were straitened.”
Their indulgent Creator has given them all implements necessary either for constructing combs, or composing honey. Bees have each a portable vessel, in which they bring home their collected sweets: and have the most commodious storehouses, wherein to deposit them. They readily distinguish every plant, which affords materials for their business; and are complete practitioners in the arts of separation and refinement. Aware that the vernal bloom and summer sun are but for a season, they improve to the utmost every shining hour, and lay up a stock sufficient to supply the whole society, till their flowery harvest shall return.
Insects, which some persons may consider as so many rude scraps of creation, ought to be classed among the most polished pieces of Divine workmanship.