A young Bee, deceived by fine weather, leaves the Hive too early, and contrary to the advice and commands of his Mother—His sufferings and close confinement, the result of his disobedience: excites the compassion of a Butterfly—a friendship formed between them in consequence of it.

CHAP. II.

The Bee gets again on the wing—Is introduced by his friend to a field of cowslips—Interrupted by Children—Instance of vanity in the Butterfly—Conversation of the Bee and his Friend as they return—He resolves to find his Hive.

CHAP. III.

The Bee out early in search of his former abode, accompanies the Butterfly to a bed of Tulips—Farther discovery of vanity in the latter—Children in pursuit of him—The Bee appears in his defence and commits a great outrage—He sees his Hive at a distance—His Joy on beholding it—His Return and Re-admission there—The consequence of a Bee in danger.

CHAP. IV.

The farther flights of the Bee and the Butterfly—Visit to a Cottage—Such abodes not always the dwelling of Peace—Disagreement between two Friends—The meanness of an Informer—The Bee's observation on their conduct—Regard to appearances observable in Creatures superior to the Butterfly—His triumph on perceiving it.

CHAP. V.

The Butterfly deceived by a Flower—Their visit to a conservatory—The alarm occasioned by their joining a Party after Dinner—A Battle ensues—The Bee puts the Ladies to flight—His confinement—The Butterfly's anxiety—His Friend regains his Liberty and returns late to the Hive—The Butterfly detects flattery in a Gentleman to a Lady, and is alarmed by a hint from his Friend as they separate for the Night.

CHAP. VI.

The Bees swarm—Their fondness for their Queen—The Bee in waiting—The Butterfly goes into the Country on a party of Pleasure, is overtaken by a Storm—Returns in a Stage-coach—An Officer exercising his genius in hoaxing his Fellow-travellers—The Butterfly recounts his adventures to his Friend—Their remarks on what passed during his Journey.

CHAP. VII.

The Butterfly's alarm, and account of a Naturalist—Wasps ensnared in a Bottle—A Bee drowning in a Pot of Honey, is extricated by his Friend—Flies—The Bee's remarks upon them, nearly offends his Friend by comparing them with him—The Butterfly foretells the approach of Winter, and notwithstanding the kind endeavours of his Friend, dies—The Bee's Regret—He performs the last Office for him, and returns to the Hive, where, after remaining the Winter, he persuades the whole Community to remove their Quarters—They forsake their Hive and retire beyond the reach of Men.