330 



THE INSECT WOBLD. 



however, differ in any way from those of the workers. The differ- 

 ence in their development depends entirely on the space and food 

 allowed them. 



We represent (Fig. 320) a portion of a comb containing the 

 eggs placed in the cells, as also the royal cells. The regular 



order of laying is such as 

 we have just described, but 

 the result is quite different 

 when the impregnation of 

 the queen has been re- 

 tarded by an accidental 

 captivity of two or three 

 weeks. The longer this 

 j delay, the greater will be 

 I the number of male eggs. 

 If the queen is shut up for 

 more than twenty days after 

 her birth, she can then lay 

 nothing but male eggs 

 during the remainder of her 

 existence. It seems^ also, 

 that this delay troubles her 



Fig. 320.-Portion of the comb, with the epgs < c< npving intellect; for she then often 

 the cells. One of the royal cells has been opened by 



the Queen. makes blunders as to the 



cells. She lays the eggs of the males or drones in the cradles 

 prepared for the queens, and thus brings confusion into the future 

 community. 



The eggs, once laid, are left to the care of the working bees, 

 which Eeaumur called the nurses, in opposition to the wax- 

 workers, which are employed in works of construction. According 

 to many bee-keepers, and especially M. Hamet,* this division of 

 duties is not positive. The young workers are the wax- workers ; 

 the old ones, collectors of honey, and nurses. However, when the 

 honey-harvest is at its height, all the workers collect the spoil. 

 Every individual is pressed into the service at the harvest-time, 

 as with men. 



The eggs are not long in being hatched. From the moment 

 * " Cours d' Apiculture," in 8^0. Paris, 1864. 



