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LETTER XII.

FJzIcrA TO CONSTANCE8

S1irzcbbery

DEAR SISTER,

HE next genus that presents itself to our view, is that of Apis, or Bee, which will furnish you with matter for observation during the whole course of the summer, in my aunt's glass beehives, where you will have an opportunity of seeing the process of their labours and instincts, that I am going to describe.

The genus is extensive, and is divided by J4inrlaus into two classes; those in which the body is but slightly covered with fine down and those which are thickly clothed with hair. The latter are commonly called humble Bees; but, as I have already said, many kinds are contained in these divisions, whose talents, manners, and dispositions,, are greatly varied. Some live in society, others dwell and work in solitude, 'building the cradles for their progeny with the leaf of the rose-tree, of which the Leaf cutter bee is n example: the anon bee uses a

kind