88 I'llVSlOLOCV OF THE ilUNKV-DKt:. 



A good colony, even in our climate, sometimes sends out 

 three or more swarms, and in the tro])ical climates, of which 

 the bee is probably a native, they increase Avith astonishing- 

 rapidity. Every new swarm, except the first, is led oft by a 

 young- queen ; and as she is never impregnated until she has 

 been established as the head of a separate family, it is im- 

 portant that each should be accompanied by a goodly number 

 of drones; this requires the production of a large number 

 in the parent-hive. 



190. This necessity no longer exists when the bee is do- 

 mesticated, smce several colonies are kept in the same place, 

 and the breeding of so many drones should be discouraged. 

 Their brood takes useful space that might as well be occupied 

 with worker-brood. One thousand good-for-nothing- drones 

 take up as much breeding-space as fifteen hundred workers 

 (224:), and require as much food, with negative results. Some 

 hives, m a state of nature, produce so many drones that a 

 great part of the surplus crop is disposed of by these vora- 

 cious loafers. Besides, the comparatively large volume of the 

 mate organs, in connection with the gluttony of the drones, 

 explains why they usualh^ void their dejections in the hive, 

 while workers retain them till they are on the wing (Y3), and 

 why the cells of the combs of hives which have a large <iuantity 

 of these gormands, become dark and thick sooner than the 

 others. 



The importance of preventing the over-production of drones 

 has been corroborated by the discoveiy of Mr. P. J. Mahan, 

 that those leaving the hive have cjuite a large drop of honey 

 in theii; stomachs— while those returning from their pleasure 

 excursions, having digested their dinners, are prepared for a 

 new supply (600). 



Aristotle (''History of Animals," Book IX, Chap. XI) 

 speaks of the irregular and thick combs built Iw some colonies, 

 and the superabundance of drones issuing from them. He 

 describes their excursions as follows : 



"The drones, when they go abroad, rise into the air with a 

 circular flight, as though to tako violent oxerfiso. niid wlion they 



