THE BEE. 515 



From the great number of males In each hive to a 

 fingle female, the ancients were induced to believe, that 

 fecundation among thefe infefts was not accomplifhed by 

 any a6l of copulation, but that it was performed bv a 

 vivifying liquor Ihed upon the ova in the cells : But this 

 opinion was overthrown, as foon as it was obferved, that 

 for nine or ten months in the year there was no male in 

 the hive. Sivammerda??:, who could not obferve that in 

 thefe animals there were any parts of generation f , there- 

 fore fuppofed, that the female was impregnated folely by 

 the effluvia of the male bees. The obfervations made by 

 "Reaiunur have removed thofe difficulties with which this 

 part of the hidory of bees feemed to be attended. The 

 female, who is furrounded by fo many males, inflead of 

 being fatigued and perfecuted by their importunities, is 

 obliged to carefs and Inflame the paffions of thefe drones, 

 who are the moll cold and Indifferent of all their fex. 

 She mounts upon their backs, and pulhes her gallantry 

 to what may- be deemed Indecency ; at length her allure- 

 ments produce the defired eiTefl, and copulation Is per- 

 formed. 



The fem.ale thus impregnated proceeds to lay her eggs, 

 which are round and oblong, rather thicker at the one 

 end than the other. Each is depofited in a feparate cell, 

 except upon fome occadons, when the Induflry of the 

 working bees has not been fufficient for the fertility of 

 the mother : She then lays tv/o or three in a fmgle cell ; 

 the fupernumeraries being afterwards carried away and 

 placed by themfelves, as foon as nev/ cells are provided. 

 The fingle egg which remains is faflcned to the bottom 

 of the cell by the fmall end, die only part whicli fcem.s 

 3 T 2 to 



t Eiblja Nature, 



