CLASS HEXAPODA. 83 



finding that one of the royal young is about to emerge 

 from her cell, collects a number of her workers together 

 and with them leaves the old hive, and the "swarm" 

 starts elsewhere a new colony. The young queen is now 

 assisted from her cell, and either heads a new colony, or 

 carefully visits the remaining roy;ii cells, stings the in- 

 mates and establishes herself as the head of the old 

 hive. During the summer, the workers are busy collect- 

 ing honey, or in making cells in which to store it, The 



FIG. 144. FIG. 145. FIG. 146. 



Queen. Drone. Worker. 



drones (males) are idle and finally, as cold weather comes 

 on, they can be supported no longer, and are conse- 

 quently attacked by the workers and put to death. 



Europe is the original habitat of the common Honey- 

 bee ; but it is now universally distributed, having been 

 introduced to North America about two hundred years 

 ago, and to South America only for about forty years. 

 Its economic value fs beginning to be more and more 

 appreciated, especially since the Italian variety has been 

 introduced into the United States. These are claimed to 

 be more docile in their disposition, and more reliable as 

 faithful workers. Works upon bee-culture give explicit 

 descriptions of the several varieties, and should be care- 

 fully studied by the Apiarian. 



The wax made by melting the comb into cakes, is of 

 commercial value as well as the honey. One of the 



