Insecta. 25 



6. Examine the wings ; compare the front and hind wings. 



7. Get a bumblebees' nest ; examine the contents of the cells, 

 and note the different stages of development of the young 

 bees. 



8. The sting is a modified form of ovipositor. Near its base 

 are poison glands, and a sac for storing the poison. Remove a 

 sting with the poison sacs and examine under a low power of 

 a microscope. 



9. How do bees compare with other insects in intelligence? 



10. Ants, bees, and wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera> or 

 membrane-winged insects. 



Topics for Reports. Bumblebees. Wasps. Solitary bees. 

 Ants. 



STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HONEY BEE. 



Through the glass sides of the hive observe the comb. The 

 depressions or holes in it are the cells. Find cells that are empty, 

 others that are partially filled with a substance whose glassy sur- 

 face reflects the light. These cells contain honey. Find cells 

 apparently empty, but which upon close observation are found to 

 have a small, oblong, white body at the bottom of them. These 

 may be seen attached by one end to the bottom of the cell near 

 its center. They are not as large as the head of a pin, and are 

 often overlooked. They are eggs. Record the date upon a small 

 piece of paper, and paste it on the glass opposite the cells contain- 

 ing eggs, and note the changes from day to day. Determine the 

 number of days elapsing between the time the egg was laid and 

 the time of hatching. Make several trials. Begin with empty 

 cells, and note when the eggs are laid, as some of the eggs may 

 have been in the cells a day or two before you found them. 

 Determine the length of time the young bee is in the grub or 

 larval stage. The larva may be seen one or two days after hatch- 

 ing, floating in a small drop of gray-colored liquid at the bottom 

 of the cell. Note its rate of growth. What care has it received ? 

 Has it been nursed, fed, and cared for, or has it, like Topsy, 



