Beeeptaeulum Seminis of Bees and Wasps. By F. B. Cheshire. 5 



decrease in number, but instead of being generally diffused are 

 gathered into a tolerably compact mass (plate II. fig. 2, &), which 

 lies near the aperture of the spermatheca, the remainder of the 

 latter being filled with a clear fluid (a) as in virgin queens. 



This collection of spermatozoa is seen by a 1/2 in. objective to 

 be arranged in large wavy floccus-like masses as indicated in the 

 figure just referred to, the extremities of the motile threads pointing 

 towards the aperture, while from its upper surface spermatozoa are 

 observed to rise in different spots (fig. 2, d d) like microscopic eels, 

 long and thin, curling and twisting with much grace as they hold on 

 by their tails. After a few seconds they lapse into quietude, to be in 

 turn succeeded by others, and in a warm room this most curious set of 

 movements will be long continued, even though several hours have 

 been occupied in dissecting the abdomen whence the spermatheca had 

 been taken. It has been again and again asserted, as an echo of a 

 bold guess made long since in America, that the narrower * worker 

 cell in which worker bees are raised, by pressing upon the abdomen of 

 the queen, was the efl'ective means for the forcing out of spermatozoa 

 and so causing these eggs to be fertilized. This notion, so repellent 

 from its bald crudity, could only be previously met by negative 

 evidence, and since there is no confidence like the confidence of 

 ignorance, the error has died hard ; and it is worth while in this con- 

 nection to note that the closing valve n, fig. 5, of the spermatheca, 

 which we are presently to examine, having been brought away in 

 situ, holds so very strongly, that the sac may be squeezed flat in 

 the compressorium without driving out a single spermatozoon. 

 The pressure increased, the delicate bag at length bursts, and a true 

 microscopical marvel awaits us. The spermatozoa escape in tufts, 

 each containing hundreds of thousands. These tufts have a 

 beautiful arrangement, reminding one of a girl's back hair combed 

 out after plaiting ; but each spermatozoon wriggles to be free, and 

 quickly they are widely spread, curling and uncurling with a peculiar 

 snapping movement, and with an energy that baffles description. 

 Their powers in a few minutes begin to wane ; then one after 

 the other they take a form which with a 1/2 in. or even 1/4, closely 

 resembles two 8's one over the other, surrounded by a rather larger 

 (fig. 4, d). When all have sunk to rest, this singular pattern, 

 repeated with strange regularity, covers the field, t 



* Honeycomb consists of two-sized cells — worker cells 1/5 in. in diameter, and 

 drone cells 1/4 in. in diameter. 



t This pattern is not always obtained. In some cases the arrangement is 

 made up of comparatively large, round, dense masses, throwing off foiu- tufts at 

 right angles. These tirfts join others from other similar masses, so that a pattern 

 which might do well for a drugget is made up. I exhibited this pattern to the 

 Fellows at a former meeting. The separated condition is the general result of 

 using either extremely dilute glycerin or even water. No stain has with me 

 succeeded at all like Spiller's purple. This if properly applied brings out the heads 

 with great clearness, while the body remains a distinct but pale violet. 



