214 The Honey Bee. [May, 



evidence of their own senses. The anatomy of these diflferent bees 

 is as diiFerent as their offices, without going into much detail in 

 their physiological analysis, it will be interesting to note a few par- 

 ticulars. As before observed the most superficial observer can at 

 once see the difference. The queen is decidedly the most beautiful 

 and attractive object to the beholder, as she appears to be to those 

 of her own community. She is the impersonation of modesty and 

 grace in her every movemont. She is attended with an escort, or 

 retinue, at times entirely encircling her, with uniformly head to- 

 wards her, receding at her very approach, and seem to delight in 

 paying to her their respects, and are specially favored if permitted to 

 touch her with their antennse. 



When laying her eggs she proceeds from cell to cell with the 

 same order and system in her movements. She first enters the cell 

 as if to ascertain its condition ; after emerging she thrusts her abdo- 

 men into the cell down to the very apes, at which point in the angle 

 she deposits her egg. And thus she proceeds from cell to cell, and 

 from comb, to comb, until she deposits some eight to twelve thous- 

 and eggs. 



The drones are easily distinguished, from their thick alderman like 

 appearance, with big round heads, large eyes, fat cheeks thick mous- 

 tache, and rotund bodies, often lying in the hive in clusters as dull 

 and stupid as their gouty prototypes among the human species, yet 

 true to their own nature, and not corrupted. And when they do 

 make a sally from the hive, it is but for a short space from one to 

 three o'clock, and then to make a most tremendous buzz, as if to 

 show their exceeding consequence. 



The workers may easily be distinguished by their being of small- 

 er size, have twelve joints to their antennse, and six abdominal rings. 

 The first joint or square portion of the posterior tarsi, is enlarged 

 at the posterior angle of its base, and shaped like a pointed auricle, 

 having its internal surface covered with a fine, short, close, silky 

 down, and are provided with stings. The mandibles are spoon- 

 shaped, and not dentated. There is on the outside of the hind-legs, 

 a smooth hollow, edged with hairs, called the basket. The queen 

 has the same general characteristics, but is of larger size, especially 

 in the abdomen and considerably longer. She has a shorter trunk, 

 and the mandibles groved and velvet like beneath the tip. 



The males, or drones, differ from both the preceeding, by having 

 their ten joints to the antennae smaller and more velvety mandibles, 



