316 
BEE. 
to swell, and, 1 believe, in the month of March 
she is ready to lay them, for the young bees are 
to swarm in June; which constitutes the queen 
bee to be the earliest breeder of any insect we 
know. In consequence of this, the labourers be- 
come sooner employed than any other of this 
tribe of insects. This both queen and labourers 
are enabled to accomplish, from living in society 
through the winter; and it becomes necessary in 
them, as they have their colony to form early in 
the summer, which is to provide for itself for the 
winter following. All this requires the process to 
be carried forward earlier than by any other in- 
sect, for these are only to have young which are 
to take care of themselves through the summer, 
not being under the necessity of providing for the 
winter. 
In the month of April, I found in the cells, 
young bees, in all stages, from the egg to the chry- 
salis state; some of which were changed in their 
colour, therefore, were nearly arrived at the fly 
state, and probably some might have flown. 
As this season is too early for collecting the 
provision of the maggot abroad, the store of farina 
comes now into use; but as soon as flowers begin 
to blow, the bees gather the fresh, although they 
have farina in store, giving the fresh the pre- 
ference. 
“ Of the Queen. 
The queen bee, as she is termed, has excited 
