Honey-sweet


"Ah, but how do bees make honey?"

Now the children, eager, ask;

And we'll try to give them answer,

If we're able for the task.



See, the under-lip is lengthened,

Like a trunk or proboscis,

Ending by a kind of button,

Fringed with tiny moving hairs.



All along its length, too, fringes,

Just the same, are growing forth;

/> And by means of these, the honey

Is conveyed from flowers to mouth.



Then the bee has two small stomachs,

In the first of which is stored

All the honey it can gather,

But, when home, 'tis quick out-poured.







Bees have six legs; and in hindmost,

There are baskets found, or bags,

Into which the pollen gathered,

Is brushed off by the other legs.



And this pollen, for the bee-bread

And as food for young, they use,

Mixed with honey and with water,--

Swallowed and disgorged like juice



By the nurses, who digest it

Partly, for the larvae-food,

Taking care that each shall have it,

Just according to the brood.







Now we'll watch and see them working;

See them brush off pollen-dust;

See them, too, disgorge the honey,

Into cells the sweetness thrust.



Children, with your useful fingers,

Hands and arms and feet and head,

Do not let the bees surpass you,

Making honey, nay, nor bread.



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