544 K. N. PAVIiOVSKY AND E. J. ZARIX 



gut and its derivativps (digestive glands — hepatopancreas) 

 when such are present. 



On account of the difference in the mode of Hfe and nutrition 

 between the worker-bee and drones, we examined and com- 

 pared the intestinal ferments of both in the hope of tracing 

 some points of difference between them. However, in the 

 conditions of the experiments conducted, when the ferments 

 were determined only qualitatively we failed in our attempts. 

 It was impossible to discover any visible difference between 

 the ferments. 



An examination of the comparative table of ferments in 

 ihe intestine of the bee adduced above reveals the fact of the 

 inconstant presence of catalase in the extracts from the large 

 intestine. This circumstance seems to produce a certain disson- 

 ance in the results of the work and disagrees with the generally 

 accepted facts. However, on closer examination it is explained 

 quite definitely and convincingly. As a matter of fact catalase 

 was discovered in extracts from the rectum not accidentally 

 but at a certain time of the year, viz. in spring, previously to the 

 hives being removed from their hibernating quarters. 



At this period catalase is abundant in the rectum, but 

 already after the first flights of the bees its quantity decreases 

 sharply and two days later it is already impossible to trace any 

 of this ferment in the rectum. These facts can be naturally 

 connected with the work of the intestine in winter. Bees feed 

 all the time, but during the period of seclusion in the hive they 

 do not excrete at all. The faeces accumulate in the rectum 

 and distend it to extraordinary dimensions, as is represented 

 in Plate 15 of figures. On comparing the intestine (drawn 

 at the same magnification) of a bee that has hibernated pre- 

 viously to its discharge (fig. 3), with a bee dissected in summer 

 in the usual conditions of its existence and activity, we may 

 form a clear idea of the degree to which the intestine is over- 

 filled. The stomach becomes shorter and thicker, especially 

 large dimensions are attained by the rectum which assumes 

 the aspect of an enormous ovoid bladder. Doubtless the 

 accumulation and long retention of faeces in the rectum reflects 



