conveyed by suction; but, if we examine it, we find it consists of five distinct parts, four of which form a sheath, and the fifth is a narrow strap covered with fine bristles, and this is used as a tongue in lapping, or sweeping up the honey. The parts around the tongue (c) are furnished with numerous muscles, as is also the tongue itself; so that the tongue can be withdrawn and shut up, or its case opened, and the instrument darted into the bosom of a flower instantaneously. The nectar, or honey, is thus swept up into the honey-bag which lies at the base of the tongue, from which it can be disgorged at pleasure, as the food of young birds can be disgorged by the mother from her crop, or craw.* It has commonly been supposed, from the earliest times, that the oval lumps of yellow substance on the thighs of bees are composed of wax; but this is an error. The little pellets consist of the yellow pollen of flowers, which, when brought into the hive, is handed over to the bakers, who mix it with honey, and knead it into bee-bread, or food for the young larvæ. The gathering of the pollen is a curious operation, which, however, you may find a hundred opportunities of observing during the summer months. It is gathered from * It should here be observed, by the way, that although pigeons' milk has been supposed to have no existence, it is not so fabulous as has been believed. There is a secretion from the crop of the hen-bird, resembling ordinary milk in quality; with this fluid the food for the young is soft ened and mixed. the anthers of flowers, or those small yellow knobs at the tops of the stamens. The dust upon the anthers is called pollen, and is necessary to fertilize the flower. In gathering this yellow dust, therefore, the bee performs an important duty to the flower, as well as to the young bees at home; for he becomes the agent by which this pollen is conveyed from the stamen to the pistil, and the flower is thus rendered capable of producing seed. But let us turn to the microscope, and look at the wonderful provision made in the formation of the bee's leg for the conveyance of the pollen homewards. The hinder-leg of the bee (Fig. 13) is thickly covered with fine hairs on the upper part (b); but, upon the lower, you will see a number of stiff bristles curved inwards, and ranged around a bare surface; thus is constructed a kind of basket, and in this the pollen, as collected, is packed and carried. How wonderful it is, that thus, in every portion of nature, however small, we find the same complete adaptation of parts to their particular purposes! Fig. 13. b The wax is secreted from glands which lie beneath the segments of the abdomen or belly, but is only provided when required. It is not gathered from flowers, as was formerly supposed. A certain portion of the population of the hive are appointed wax manufacturers, and these labourers. The wax-workers hang themare forthwith supplied with food by other selves in festoons from the top of the hive, taking hold of each other's legs, and thus Before the building of a new comb, fesremain for some time in perfect repose. toons of bees may be seen hanging in the roof of their dwelling in all directions. After a while, the wax makes its appearthe segments of the abdomen, eight scales ance as scales, which exude from between appearing on each insect. The bee then detaches itself from its fellows, and makes its way to the roof of the hive, where it commences to build the comb. For this purpose it detaches, with its hind-leg, one of the scales of wax from its abdomen, and conveys it to its mouth, where it is masti cated, and mixed with saliva, so as to be quite soft, and whiter than before. Each scale of wax is thus removed in turn, and is then kneaded, and stuck in a mass to the roof; and the bee continues labouring till all the scales are removed, when it is followed by another, who adds his quota of wax to that already accumulated, so as to make a little wall. The wax manufacturers and builders each retire as they conclude their work, and give way to the smaller insects called sculpture bees, who forthwith commence excavating hollows in the wall which has been erected, with all the regularity and precision of a troop of sappers and miners. The cells are horizontal, and are made exactly hexagonal, or with six equal sides. An insect has thus solved the problem, of "how the greatest strength may be combined with the least quantity of material." The description given of the operation by Huber is very striking. The wax-workers, or common labourers, having deposited the requisite stock of materials, an architect or nurse-bee quitted the cluster and inspected the works. Having felt the whole surface of both sides of the wall with its antennæ, it proceeded, like a skilful mason, to excavate, exactly in the centre, as much of the block as equalled the diameter of a common cell; and, after kneading the material which it had removed, the insect placed it carefully at the sides of the excavation. Having performed its task, fresh material was laid at the sides by the working bees, and new relays of architects proceeded with the work. In the mean time, the master-mason quits the swarm, and taking an assistant with him, goes round to the other face of the little block of wax, where two excavations on either side of the centre are commenced, so that the division between them is opposite to the base of the cell, commencing on the first side. So rapid is the progress of the building, that, in five or six days, a comb sufficiently large to fill the hive will have been prepared. But time and space fail me to enumerate the curious habits and mental qualifications of these extraordinary insects, who in all things act in a manner worthy of beings endowed with reasoning powers, and who, in many things, far exceed human beings in foresight, economy, and prudence. A very slight observation is sufficient to show us, that animals are not mere machines; but that they vary their proceedings according to circumstances. They collect food, performing long journeys in its search, and never losing their way; they obey a recognised government, and appear to have been well versed in the usefulness of a division of labour long before the days when Adam Smith wrote his celebrated chapters thereupon: they fortify, guard, and ventilate their habitations; they build cells for the young insects, which they nurse and cleanse; and, when overburdened with population, a portion of the community agree to emigrate. There is little doubt, that while bees are among the most diligent of insects, they enjoy a large share of happiness; for with them, as with men, the fulfilment of duty is always accompanied by a high degree of real pleasure. Let us receive the teaching which an insect thus gives to us, and remember, that while "work" is the destiny, it is also the blessing of man. Idleness and inactivity never afford real happiness, which can only be secured by diligently "doing our duty in that state of life in which it has pleased God to place us." The winter has come again to us and to the bee; both are compelled to retire within our respective homes. Has each of us laid up the store of that which is as necessary to our happiness as the honey is to the bee? Have we used the passing hours of the year which is gone, to lay up the honey of knowledge in the storehouse of memory; and have we made use of every opportunity afforded to us to lay up a treasure, which" neither moth nor rust can corrupt," when the winter of life comes to us? If not, let us endeavour to remedy past neglect by faithful labour in the future; for "He who seeks repentance for the past, Must woo the angel Virtue in the future." IN solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon herself; in the world it seeks or accepts of a few treacherons supports-the feigned conpassion of one-the flattery of a second-the civilities of a third the friendship of a fourth-they all deceive and bring the mind back to retirement, reflection, and books. Zenobia immediately filled the vacant throne, and governed with manly counsels Palmyra, Syria, and the East, above five years. She obliged one of the Roman generals who was sent against her to retreat into Europe, with the loss of his army and his reputation. Her steady administration was guided by the most judicious maxims of policy. If it was expedient to pardon, she could calm her resentment; if it was necessary to punish, she could impose silence on the voice of pity. Her strict economy was accused of avarice; yet on every proper occasion she appeared magnificent and liberal. The neighbouring states of Arabia, Armenia, and Persia, dreaded her enmity, and solicited her alliance. To the dominions of Odenathus, which extended from the Euphrates to the frontiers of Bithynia, his widow added the inheritance of her ancestors-the populous and fertile kingdom of Egypt. The Roman emperor Claudius acknowledged her merit, and was content that while he pursued the Gothic war, she should assert the dignity of the empire in the East. The conduct, however, of Zenobia was attended with some ambiguity, nor is it unlikely that she had conceived the design of erecting an independent and hostile monarchy. She blended with the popular manners of Roman princes the stately pomp of the courts of Asia, and exacted from her sub. ZENOBIA, QUEEN OF PALMYRA. MODERN Europe has produced several illustrious women, who have sustained, with glory, the weight of empire. But if we except the doubtful achievements of Semiramis, Zenobia, the celebrated queen of Palmyra and the East, is perhaps the only woman whose superior genius broke through the servile indolence imposed on her sex by the climate and manners of Asia. She claimed her descent from the Macedonian kings of Egypt, equalled in beauty her ancestor Cleopatra, and far surpassed that princess in her virtues. Zenobia was esteemed the most lovely as well as the most heroic of her sex. Her complexion was dark, her teeth of a pearly whiteness, and her large black eyes sparkled with uncommon fire, tempered by the most attractive sweetness. Her voice was strong and harmonious, her manly understanding was strengthened, and adorned by study. She was not ignorant of the Latin tongue, but possessed in equal perfection the Greek, the Syrian, and the Egyptian languages. She had drawn up for her own use an epitome of Oriental history; and familiarly compared the beauties of Homer and Plato, under the tuition of the sublime Longinus. This accomplished woman gave her hand in marriage to Odenathus, who, from a private station, raised himself to the domi-jects the same adoration that was paid to nion of the East, and was the friend and ally of the Romans, who conferred upon him the title of Augustus. She soon became the friend and companion of a hero. In the intervals of war, Odenathus passionately delighted in the exercise of hunting; he pursued with ardour the wild beasts of the desert-lions, panthers, and bears; and the ardour of Zenobia in that dangerous amusement was not inferior to his own. She had inured her constitution to fatigue, disdained the use of a covered carriage, generally appeared on horseback, in a military habit, and sometimes marched several miles on foot at the head of the troops. The success of Odenathus was in a great measure ascribed to the incomparable prudence and fortitude of Zenobia. After a successful expedition against the Gothic plunderers of Asia, Odenathus was cut off by domestic treason; and with the assistance of his most faithful friends, the successors of Cyrus. She bestowed on her three sons a Latin education, and often showed them to the troops adorned with the imperial purple. For herself she reserved the diadem, with the splendid but doubtful title of Queen of the East. The Emperor Aurelian, A.D. 272, turned his arms against Zenobia, and the fate of the East was decided in two great battles; the first fought near Antioch, and the second near Emessa. In both, the Queen of Palmyra animated the armies by her presence, and devolved the execution of her orders on Zabdas, who had already signalised his military talents by the conquest of Egypt. The numerous forces of Zenobia consisted for the most part of light archers, and of heavy cavalry, clothed in complete steel. The Moorish and Illyrian horse of Aurelian were unable to sustain the ponderous charge of their antagonists. They fled in real or affected disorder, engaged the the sandy desert which lay between Palmyra and the scene of his last conquestEmessa. He, with incessant vigour, pressed the attacks in person, and was himself Palmyrenians in a laborious pursuit, harassed them by a desultory combat, and at length discomfited this impenetrable but unwieldy body of cavalry. The light infantry, in the meantime, when they had ex-wounded with a dart. hausted their quivers, remaining without protection against a closer onset, exposed their naked sides to the swords of the legions-veteran troops, whose valour had been tried in the Alemannic war. After the defeat of Emesa, Zenobia found it impossible to collect a third army. Palmyra was the last resource of the widow of Odenathus. She retired within the walls of her capital, made every preparation for gorous resistance, and declared, with the intrepidity of a heroine, that the last moment of her reign, and of her life, should be the same. corn. Amid the barren deserts of Arabia a few cultivated spots rise like islands out of the sandy ocean. Even the name of Tadmor, or Palmyra, by its signification in the Syriac as well as in the Latin language, denoted the multitude of palm-trees which afforded shade and verdure to that temperate region. The air was pure, and the soil, watered by some invaluable springs, was capable of producing fruit as well as A place possessed of such singular advantages, and situated at a convenient distance between the gulf of Persia and the Mediterranean, was soon frequented by the caravans which conveyed to the nations of Europe a considerable part of the rich commodities of India. Palmyra insensibly increased into an independent and opulent city, and connecting the Roman and Parthian monarchies by the mutual benefits of commerce, was suffered to observe an humble neutrality, till at length, after the victories of Iragan, the little republic sank into the bosom of Rome, and flourished more than a hundred and fifty years in the tank of a colony. The elevation of Odenathus and Zenobia appeared to reflect new splendour on their country, and Palmyra, for a while, stood forth the rival of Rome; but the competition was fatal, and ages of prosperity were sacrificed to a moment of glory. The siege of this place, to which the queen had retired, was an object far more difficult and important to Aurelian than had been the defence of his army from the Arabs, who had harassed his march over "The Roman people," says Aurelian, in an original letter, "speak with contempt of the war which I am waging against a woman. They are ignorant both of the character and of the power of Zenobia. It is impossible to enumerate her warlike preparations, of stones, of arrows, and of every species of missile weapons. The fear of punishment has armed her with a desperate courage. Yet still I trust in the protecting deities of Rome, who have hitherto been favourable to all my undertakings." Doubtful, however, of the event of the siege, Aurelian judged it more prudent to offer terms of an advantageous capitulation: to the queen, a splendid retreat; to the citizens, their ancient privileges. His proposals were obstinately rejected, and the refusal was accompanied with insult. The firmness of Zenobia was supported by the hope that in a very short time famine would compel the Roman army to repass the desert; and by the reasonable expectation that the kings of the East would arm in defence of their most natural ally. But fortune, and the perseverance of Aurelian, overcame every obstacle; and Zenobia then resolved to fly. She mounted the fleetest of her dromedaries, and had already reached the banks of the Euphrates, about sixty miles from Palmyra, when she was overtaken by Aurelian's light horse; seized, and brought back a captive to the feet of the emperor. Her capital soon afterwards surrendered, and was treated with unexpected lenity. When the Syrian queen was brought into the presence of Aurelian, he sternly asked her how she had presumed to rise in arms against the emperors of Rome. The answer of Zenobia was a prudent mixture of respect and firmness. "Because I disdained to consider as Roman emperors, an Aureolus or a Gallienus. You, alone, acknowledge as my conqueror and my sovereign." But the courage of Zenobia deserted her in the hour of trial, and she ignominiously purchased life by the sacrifice of her fame and her friends. The fame of Longinus, who was included among the numerous, and perhaps innocent victims of her fear, will survive that of the queen who betrayed, or the tyrant who condemned him. Genius and learning were incapable of moving a fierce, unlettered, soldier; but they had served to elevate and harmonize the soul of Longinus. Without uttering a complaint, he calmly followed the executioner, pitying his unhappy mistress, and bestowing comfort on his afflicted friends. Returning from the conquest of the East, Aurelian had already crossed the straits that divide Europe from Asia, when he was provoked by the intelligence that the Palmyrenians had massacred the governor and garrison which he had left among them, and erected the standard of revolt against him. Without a moment's deliberation he once more turned his face towards Syria. Antioch was alarmed by his rapid approach; and the helpless city of Palmyra felt the irresistible weight of his resentment. The seat of commerce, of arts, and of Zenobia, gradually sank into an obscure town, a trifling fortress-and at length a miserable village! The present citizens of Palmyra, consisting of thirty or forty families, have erected their mud cottages within the spacious court of a magnificent temple. Zenobia herself adorned the triumph that awaited Aurelian on his return to Rome. She was laden with fetters of gold; a slave supported the gold chain which encircled her neck, and she almost fainted under the intolerable weight of jewels. She preceded on foot the chariot in which she once hoped to enter Rome: and the most illustrious of the senate, the people, and the army, closed the solemn procession. She was subsequently treated with a generous clemency. The emperor presented her with an elegant villa at Tivoli, about twenty miles from the capital; the Syrian queen insensibly sank into a Roman matron; her daughters married into noble families, and her race was not yet extinct in the fifth century. M. G. INTELLECTUAL decay, doubtless, is not uncommon; but it is not universal. Newton was in his eighty-fifth year improving his chronology, and Waller at eighty-two is thought to have lost none of his poetic powers. AN OLD MAN'S TALE. A BEAUTIFUL autumnal day-such a one as sometimes comes to awaken a hope that Winter is still far distant-was drawing to a close. I was seated high upon a bold headland, which formed an extremity of one of the most picturesque bays on the south Welsh coast. Almost at my feet, and closely sheltered under the cliff, lay the straggling cottages of a little fishing village; while, far away in the sweep of the shore, arose the spires of a busy town, to which the heath-clad hills formed no inharmonious back-ground. It was not the first time, by many, that I had toiled up the steep winding ascent from the village, to gain this commanding spot. I loved to stretch myself on the soft green turf, and gaze down from this 'vantage ground on the miniature world beneath; or, forgetful wholly of the present, dream away the day in brighter dreams of the future, than, perhaps, the past ever warranted. I loved to watch the little fleet of venturous fishing-boats as, one by one, they rounded the light-house point and put out to sea; or mark where, here and there, a distant sail was seen-a mere speck-far away upon the horizon; and wonder how often the sun would rise and set again, ere she would make her destined port. Simi I was not, however, singular in my admiration of this scene. Often as I came toiling up the rugged path-way-so often did I find another there before me. larity of tastes and feelings soon made us acquainted. He was a retired lieutenant in the navy-one who had spent his best days amid the battle and the breeze, and was now returned to his native place, to eke out existence on the pittance which those days had earned him. And he must have been a smart, active officer in his time, and one who had seen no little service. Even now I remember well the keen glance of his grey eye, as he scanned the outspread oceanprognosticated changing weather, or inveighed against the lubberly handling of some craft that was working out of the bay. Even now, I think I see that eye flash as he spoke of some gallant struggle in which he had bled, or glisten as he mourned over comrades fallen in the hour of victory. |