BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 231 



manufacturers and beekeepers with the best methods of such con- 

 struction. 



Development of the bee. — The work on the development of the 

 bee, which has been carried on for some time, was extended to include 

 the anatomy of the larva and the changes incident to the accumula- 

 tion of fatty tissue durmg growth. The rate of growth, the opti- 

 mum temperature, and experimental production of abnormalities 

 were under investigation, and as far as possible the behavior of the 

 larva was observed. 



Activities of bees.— Further work on the role of the sense of 

 smell was carried on, it havmg been previously determined that the 

 organs of tiie sense of smell are located on the bases of the wings 

 and legs and on other parts of the body, but not on the antennae, as 

 formerly supposed. Investigation of the sense of taste was also 

 undertaken, the first step being a study of the structure of various 

 sense organs located on the mouth parts. 



Diseases of bees. — The examination of samples of brood sus- 

 pected of being diseased was continued, and an unusual number of 

 such samples were received, indicating that the beekeepers over the 

 country are being benefited by such work. The State inspectors of 

 apiaries are continually sending in doubtful cases that can not be diag- 

 nosed in the field. The local mspectors are notified of each sample of 

 disease received, and in this way they learn of many new outbreaks 

 and can take prompt measures to bring them under control. 



Effect on bees of speating fruit trees while in bloom. — 

 Work begun in the spring of 1914 to ascertain the effect on bees of 

 sj)raying fruit trees while in bloom was continued in cooperation 

 with the Deciduous Fruit Insect Investigations of this bureau. 

 Information as to the effects on bees of commercial spraying under 

 various conditions was obtained, but the work so far has been helpful 

 mainly in determining the best methods of making observations. 



