The Life of the Individual 131 



Probably bees consume more pollen than beekeepers usually 

 believe but their main source of nourishment is honey. 

 Carbohydrates do not furnish the nourishment suitable 

 for the rebuilding of worn-out tissues and this may be at 

 least a partial explanation of the differences in the term 

 of life. The queen is, however, fed on predigested food all 

 her life and it is usually assumed that this is comparable 

 to royal jelly. If this assumption is correct, her food pro- 

 vides her with fats and proteids as well as sugars. 



