THE GRANNY BEE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 132, 14 January 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GRANNY BEE.

Tiie late M. Henri Fabre, in "Bramble Bees and Others,." gives the following description of the busy grandmother bee: "The bee who mounts guard and performs the office of a portress at the entrance to the burrow 13 older than the others. She is the foundress of the establishment, the mother ol the actual workers, the grandmother of the present grubs. In the springtime of her life, three months ago. she wore herself out in solitary labours. . . She still works, she assists the household to the best of her power. Incapable of being a mother for a second time, she becomes a portress, opens the door to the members of her family, and makes strangers keep their distance.

See for yourselves. Near the burrow passes an ant, an unscrupulous adventuress, who would not be sorry to know the meaning of the honeyed fragrance that rises from the bottom of the cellar. " 'Be off, or you'll catch it!' says the portress, wagging her neck. "As a rule the threat suffices. The ant decamps. Should she insist, the watener leaves her sentry-box. flings hersei? upon the saucy jade, buffets her. and drives her away. 'lhe moment the punishment lias been administered she returns to her post. . "There is nothing to tell us that the watcher ever deserts her post. Not once do 1 see her leave h< r house t,> gn and seek some r< fr'slnnon' from the flowers. Her and her sedentary occupation, which invokes no great fatigue, perhaps relieve h-'i of the need of nourishment. Perhaps also the young ones returning i'rr. . their plundering may from ' : <.-. ■t' tiie.- disgorge a drop of the con. nt. of their crops for their 1 enefit. Fed or unfed, ihe old one no longt .' g-ics out. Hut v. hit she does 1..- ■ ! ;.- tin io\ - of an active family. . hi the aiternoon the lieat 'm too u'.eai and the workeis do not go m ihi li'dd .. (Miring to tho botto 11 "i tin boo-,.-, they varnish the new ■ !:e: lhe> !i ake the 10 :nd loaf tha is to reco've the egg. The grandii'iii!;-" is still upstairs, stopping tie- doei v> itii l.er bald head. For her ill t-. is 11 i sii -la during the sliding ho,.is: the safety of tlie household i'-.;<:uires her to forego it I come ha; '. : <»:iin al nightfitll. or even later. I!.\ th- 1 light of a lantern I again heboid the overseer as assiduous and zealous as in (be daytime. The others a-•■ ie-.- ; ng. hut not she. for fear, r> • >r.;.. • ■ 1111>, of nocturnal dangers known 'i !erself alone. Does she never !, de-s end b> descending to the nun - of tin floor in low? It seems prohab!\ <■•.• essential must >est be, .:'•, ,• ' :■,•■ . i : 4i'e of such a vigil." I