ROYAL NYMPH. 



Positive, however, is more entitled to consideration than 

 negative testimony, and it cannot be doubted that Feburier and 

 others witnessed those cares, guidance, and education which they 

 have so well described. Besides, Dr. Bevan admits that he has 

 seen assistance rendered to the infant drones. So soon as the 

 young insect has been cleaned of its exuviae and regaled with 

 honey by the nurses, the latter clean out the cell exactly as we 

 have already described. 



113. A piece of comb is shown in fig. 50, the upper part A, of 

 which contains honey-cells closed with flat sides of wax. The 

 cells, c c, &c., contain pollen, and c' c f , &c., propolis. The cells 



Fig. 50. 



of the upper part are those which originally belonged to workers, 

 and those of the lower part, with convex covers, are occupied by 

 the drone nymphs. 



114. The various flowers and herbs which supply the materials 

 for honey, wax, and propolis taken collectively, are called the 

 pasturage of the bees, and it is observed that when this pasturage 

 is very abundant, the bees, eager to profit by the rich harvest, 

 depart from their habit of conveying their booty first to the 

 uppermost cells of the comb, so as to fill them gradually down- 

 wards. On the contrary, upon arriving with their load, and eager 

 to return for a fresh supply, they unload themselves in the nearest 

 empty cells they can find. The wax-makers meanwhile charge 



55 



