translator's preface. vii 



annua, and Trinia vulgaris furnished him with fertile seeds, 

 although every precaution was taken to isolate the plants. (See 

 Comptes Rendus, 8th December, 1856, p. 1069.) A dioecious 

 Euphorbiaceous plant also, the Ccelebogyne, from Australia, has 

 produced fertile seeds in the Botanic Gardens at Kew, although 

 only the female is known to botanists. 



Interesting as this curious discovery of Von Siebold's must 

 be to the Physiologist, there are some points connected with it 

 which render it of the highest practical importance to the 

 keepers of Bees. The greater part of the following pages is 

 devoted to the consideration of the wonderful series of phae- 

 nomena presented by the reproduction of those industrious 

 Insects, and the intelligent Bee-keeper will find that by studying 

 it he will obtain many hints, which, if properly applied in prac- 

 tice, may enable him not merely to study the habits of his in- 

 teresting charges with much greater satisfaction than heretofore, 

 but also, by proper management, to increase the profits derivable 

 from his hives, — a consideration which may perhaps have more 

 weight with many than any of a purely theoretical nature. 



Although I cannot flatter myself that I have done full justice 

 to the exceedingly happy phraseology in which Professor von 

 Siebold has communicated his results to the world, I have 

 endeavoured as far as lay in my power to adhere strictly to the 

 original, so that the English reader might at least be sure of 

 getting the true sense of the author. 



The proof-sheets have been submitted to Professor Owen, who 

 has kindly enriched them with some valuable notes, of which 

 those relating to Hunter's views are especially interesting. The 

 additional notes are all included between brackets. 



W. S. DALLAS. 



London, 20th January, 1857. 



