42 A. AND M. COLLEGE APIARY. 



this reproduction is merely the reproduction of individuals. In the case 

 of bees it will be seen that the increase of individuals alone would only 

 result in the strengthening or maintenance of the colony. Were repro- 

 duction of individuals alone the only method of increase, the species 

 would ultimately become extinct, for a colony under natural conditions 

 cannot exist indefinitely. In all forms of communistic life in the animal 

 kingdom, we find also a division of communiites or colonies. In the 

 case of bees this division takes the form of "swarming/ 7 and will be 

 here briefly described. In the spring when the plants are yielding plenty 

 of nectar and pollen, the combs are rapidly being filled with honey, and 

 the young bees increasing rapidly within the hive, the bees become pos- 

 sessed of the "swarming fever." Regarding the cause or nature of this 

 but little is understood except that it is the instinct calling for a division 

 of the commonwealth. The changes and actions that take place within 

 the hive at such a time are well understood, however remote the real 

 nature of the swarming fever. At this time the bees evidently prepare 



Fig. 22. Queen cells. (From Root, after Cheshire.) 



specially constructed cells, in which the queen deposits eggs, these eggs 

 differing in no way from those which regularly produce workers. As soon 

 as hatched, the young larvae in these cells are fed by the nurse bees with a 

 special food designated as "royal jelly." Regarding the nature and com- 

 position of the royal jelly little is known, except apparently through its 

 influence and great abundance the sexual organs of the larva are fully 

 developed during growth and do not remain rudimentary and useless as 

 in the case of the worker bee. The queen cell is much larger than the 

 ordinary cell, and is elongated so as to form a cone-shaped receptacle, 

 very easily found upon the comb, usually at the lower edge of the latter. 

 (See Fig. 22.) The queen requires a shorter time for development than 

 does the worker, and during her entire larval and chrysalid periods is 

 protected by the bees from the old queen, who, if permitted, would 

 destroy her. Nine days after the egg is deposited the queen cell is 

 sealed over and in seven days more the perfect queen emerges. At this 

 time, and frequently before, weather conditions being favorable, the old 

 queen and a large portion of the bees in the hive swarm out, and seek 

 for another location. Soon after leaving the hive they usually cluster 



