WORKERS, QUEENS, AND DRONES 123 



workers build yet larger cells than any yet 

 constructed, and in each of these a fertil- 

 ised tgg is put. When it hatches, the care- 

 ful nurses supply it with abundant food. 



In its larger cell, with room to develop 

 and plenty of nutriment, the insect be- 

 comes a perfect female, or queen. 



The queen cells are not only. larger than 

 the others, but are also taller, the cap 

 being built down farther below the edge 

 of the cell. 



The queen combs are very pretty with 

 their snowy, rounded domes. 



Often they are the last made, and there- 

 fore are the lowest combs in the nest. 



Frequently the lowest comb will be 

 wholly devoted to queen cells, though 

 sometimes they are found encircling other 

 combs. 



In time the queens emerge large and 

 handsome. 



They are bright in colour, and are marked 

 differently from the other members of the 



