and flowers. It makes the thread, which is used in sewing, stronger and smoother. Don't you think the bee is a very useful insect? How many kinds of bees in each hive? How is bee-bread made? How is wax made? 66 Ah, the wise little bees! they know how to live, Each one in peace with his neighbor; For though they dwell in a narrow hive, They never seem too thick to thrive, Nor so many they spoil their labor. "And wherever you stay, or wherever you roam, In the days while you live in clover, You should gather your honey and bring it home, Because the winter will surely come, 2. THE LADY-BIRD. "Come here, Grace. Open the box carefully, and see what is in it." "Oh, that is nothing but a lady-bird! I thought you had something pretty to show me." "But it is pretty," said Ned. "Don't you think its red body spotted with black is pretty?" "It is not red, Ned. It is yellow, is it not, mamma?" "Not quite. It is red and yellow mixed, and that makes orange. It is round, like a ball." "No, Ned, dear; it is round above only, and flat underneath. It is the shape of a ball cut in two." "Is the lady-bird an insect?" To be sure it is. It has a head, a thorax, and an abdomen. There are two feelers on the head, and six legs and four wings on the thorax. What can it be if it is not an insect? Beetles are insects. The lady-bird is a beetle. Let us look at the wings of a beetle. They are not like the wings of other insects. The front wings are hard, stiff, and strong. They are shaped like the part of the body which they cover. The large, thin, hind wings do not fold like a fan. They bend in the middle, just as your arm bends at the elbow. Do you know what the word beetle means? It means biter. Beetles have very strong jaws with which they bite their food. Did you ever see the baby beetle? The baby beetle is a fat, white grub. The grub has six legs, which are of very little use to the animal. Some grubs live in trees, and spend their time boring holes there. They eat the sap and the wood. They have sharp teeth and strong jaws. The grub grows very fast, and throws off its old skin for a new one whenever the old skin is too small. After it gets through growing, it stops eating when its covering becomes hard. Now it is a pupa. When the pupa becomes a perfect insect the hard skin splits, then Mr. Beetle flies out. We should always think the truth, speak the truth, and act the truth. 3. THE BEE AND THE GRASSHOPPER. Bee. Good morning, Mr. Grasshopper. How do you do to-day? Grasshopper. Thank you, dear Bee, I am well, and glad to meet you. Have them for you. you come to visit the pretty flowers in the meadow? B. I have. I am very fond of clover blossoms. They give me the best honey I can find. With my long tongue I can get the sweet juice that is hidden in the flower-cups. You have a large mouth and strong jaws. You can eat the grass and the leaves. I will leave G. You are very kind to do that. I see your body, dear Bee, like mine, is in three parts. But the underside of my thorax is flat; the front, upper part looks |