BEE CULTURE. 279 



Social Organization. — Bees are never known to live in a 

 solitary state. They proceed upon tlie principle that it is not 

 good for them to be alone. In this respect they differ widely 

 in their habits from the wasp, the hornet and various kinds of 

 flies. There is a reason for this which I do not recollect to 

 have seen stated. The material which is used in the constrvic- 

 tion of their nests or cells, is different from that which is 

 employed for the same purpose, by solitary insects, and this 

 material cannot be used except at a high degree of temperature. 

 The instruments to be employed in comb-building, are small? 

 and the wax must be softened, in order that it may bo spread. 

 A solitary bee cannot come and deposit his quantum of wax, 

 and thus enlarge the cell. The degree of warmth which is 

 necessary for comb-building, is produced by the clustering 

 together of the bees. Their animal heat, when they collect 

 together in a mass, is sufficient for this purpose. Hence we 

 are able to understand why it is they cluster very compactly 

 together, and remain quiet for the most part for several days 

 after swarming, when the foundations are to be laid, and comb 

 is to be built in their new home. The comb is built the most 

 rapidly during the night, when all are at home, because the 

 temperature is then the highest, or the animal heat is the great- 

 est. It is observed that the temperature of the hive is at a 

 higher point during the season of comb-building, than at any 

 other time. The naked hand placed upon the glass will be suf- 

 ficient to convince any one of the fact, without the aid of a 

 thermometer. They have the power of increasing or concen- 

 trating their own animal heat whenever it is necessary for the 

 purposes just specified. 



A colony or swarm of bees is composed of the queen, the 

 worker, and the drone. Each has distinct ofdces to fulfil, and 

 all are important in their bearing upon the welfare of the 

 society, or body politic which they form. They never revolt. 

 They remain true to their organization, until death separates 

 them. 



The Queen. — The queen is the mother of the whole family of 

 which she by instinct and by common consent, is constituted 

 tlie head. She is distinguished from the other bees by her 

 shape, color, and size. She is larger than the common worker, 



