4^8 TNS ECT 6. 



* The first comb made in a hive is all of one colour, tSz. almost 

 white ; but is not so white towards the end of the season, having 

 then more of a yellow cast." 



Thus far we have followed Mr. Hunter's very ingenious and 

 elaborate investigation. The history proceeds to explain the pro. 

 duction and nature of the queen-bee, the duties of the mules and 

 of the labourers, and the process of swarming. But as various 

 errors appear to have found their way into this latter part of the 

 investigation, we shall now proceed to copy from M. Huber's 

 work, which we shall give in the abridged language of the editors 

 of the Pantologia*. 



A hive contains three kinds of bees. I. A single queen-bee 

 distinguishable by the great length of her body, aud the proporti- 

 onal shortness of her wings. 2. Working-bees, female non- 

 breeders, or, as they were formerly called, neuters, to the amount of 

 many thousand : these are the smallest sized bees in the hive, aud 

 are armed with a sting. 3. Drones or males, to the number per- 

 haps of 1500 or 2O00 : these are larger than the workers, and of a 

 dark colour ; they make a great noise in flying, and have no 

 sting. The whole labour of the community is performed by the 

 workers : they elaborate the wax, and construct the cells ; they 

 collect the honey, and feed the brood. The drones, numerous as 

 they are, serve no other purpose than to insure the impregnation 

 of the few young queens that may be produced in the course of the 

 season ; and they are regularly massacred by the workers in the 

 beginning of autumn. 



It is the office of the queen-bee to lay the eggs. These remain 

 about three days in the cells before they are hatched. A small 

 white worm then makes its appearance, (called indifferently worm, 

 larva, maggot or grub) : this larva is fed with honey for some days, 

 and then changes into a nymph or pupa. After passing a certain 

 period in this state, it comes forth a perfect winged insect. 



M. Hubert employed in his experiments an improved glass hive 

 of his own invention. He styles it the leaf-hive or book-hive 

 (ruche enfeuilles, or ruche en livre), from its opening and shut- 

 ting somewhat in the manner of the leaves, of a book. It consists 

 of several frames or boxes a foot square, and in width fifteen French 



* Art. Bee. 



