BEES. 19 
generally dies, but occasionally begins to lay eggs after about four 
weeks. In this event, however, all of the eggs which develop become 
males. Such a queen is commonly called a ‘‘drone layer.” 
If the virgin queen is lost while on her flight, or the colony at any 
other time is left queenless without means of rearing additional 
queens, it sometimes happens that some of the workers begin to lay 
eggs. These eggs also develop only into drones. 
It also happens at times that when a queen becomes old her supply 
of spermatozoa is exhausted, at which time her eggs also develop 
only into drones. These facts are the basis of the theory that the 
drone of the bee is developed from an unfertilized egg or is partheno- 
genetic. <A full discussion of this point is impossible in this place. 
The work of the hive is very nicely apportioned among the inmates, 
so that there is little lost effort. As has been stated, the rearing of 
young is accomplished by having one individual to lay eggs and 
numerous others (immature females or workers) to care for the larve. 
In like manner all work of the colony is apportioned. In general, 
it may be stated that all inside work—wax building, care of brood, 
and cleaning—is done by the younger workers, those less than 17 
days old, while the outside work of collecting pollen and nectar to be 
made into honey is done by the older workers. This plan may be 
changed by special conditions. For example, if the colony has been 
queenless for a time and a queen is then given, old workers may 
begin the inside work of feeding larve, and these may also secrete 
wax. Or, if the old workers are all removed, the younger bees may 
begin outside work. As a rule, however, the general plan of division 
of labor according to age is probably followed rather closely. 
DIRECTIONS FOR GENERAL MANIPULATIONS. 
Bees should be handled so that they will be little disturbed in 
their work. As much as possible, stings should be avoided during 
manipulation. This is true, not so much because they are painful 
~to the operator, but because the odor of poison which gets into the 
air irritates the other bees and makes them more difficult to manage. 
For this reason it is most advisable to wear a black veil (fig. 4) over 
a wide-brimmed hat and to have a good smoker (fig. 3). Gloves, 
however, are usually more an inconvenience than otherwise. Gaunt- 
lets or rubber bands around the cuffs keep the bees from crawling 
up the sleeve. It is best to avoid black clothing, since that color 
seems to excite bees; a black felt hat is especially to be avoided. 
Superfluous quick movements tend to irritate the bees. The hive 
should not be jarred or disturbed any more than necessary. Rapid 
movements are objectionable, because with their peculiar eye struc- 
ture bees probably perceive motion more readily than they do objects. 
Persons not accustomed to bees, on approaching a hive, often strike 
447 
