$2 Three Kinds of Bees in Each Colony. 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE 
HONEY-BEE. 
With a knowledge of the anatomy and some glimpses 
of the physiology of insects in general, we shall now find 
it easy to learn the special anatomy and physiology of the 
highest insects of the order. 
THREE KINDS OF BEES IN EACH FAMILY, 
As we have already seen, a very remarkable feature in 
the economy of the honey-bee, described even by Aristotle, 
which is true of some other bees, and of ants, is the presence 
in each family of three distinct kinds, which differ in form, 
color, structure, size, habits and function. Thus we have 
the queen (Lubbock has shown that there are several 
queens in an ant colony), a number of drones, and a far 
greater number of workers. Huber, Bevan, Munn, and 
Kirby also speak of a fourth kind, blacker than the usual 
workers. These are accidental, and are, as conclusively 
shown by Von Berlepsch, ordinary workers, more deeply 
colored by age, loss of hair, dampness, or some other atmos- 
pheric condition. American apiarists are too familiar with 
these black bees, for after our severe winters, they prevail 
in the colony, and, as remarked by the noted Baron, “They 
quickly disappear.” Munn also tells of a fifth kind, with 
a top-knot, which appears at swarming seasons. I am ata 
great loss to know what he refers to, unless it be the pollen 
masses of the asclepias, or milk-weed, which sometimes 
fasten to our bees and become a severe burden. 
THE QUEEN BEE. 
The queen (Fig. 25) although referred to as the mother 
bee, was called the king by Virgil, Pliny, and by writers 
as late as the last century, though in the “Ancient Bee 
Master’s Farewell,” by John Keys, published in London in 
1796, I find an admirable description of the queen bee, 
with her function correctly stated. RRéaumur, as quoted 
in “Wildman on Bees,” published in London in 14770, says 
“this third sort has a grave and sedate walk, is armed with 
a sting, and is mother of all the others.” ~ 
