100 Characteristics of Drone Bees. 
anything that conspires against, or tends to intercept, the 
action of these principles, becomes an enemy to the bees. 
All are interested, and doubtlsss more united than is gen- 
erally believed, in a desire to promote the free action of these 
principles. No doubt the principle of antagonis among 
the various bees has been overrated. Even the drones, 
when they are being killed off in the autumn, make a sickly 
show of defense, as much as to say, the welfare of the col- 
ony demands that such worthless vagrants should be exter- 
minated. How relentlessly the bees: drag out even the 
worker-bees that have become loaded with the pollen 
masses of milk-weed. Such bees are of nomore use, and 
useless members are not tolerated in the bee community, 
It is most probable that what tends most for the prosperity: 
of the colony is well understood by all, and without doubt 
there is harmonious action among all the denizens of the 
hive to foster that which will advance the general welfare, 
or to make war on whatever may tend to interfere with it. 
If the course of any of the bees seems wavering and in- 
consistent, we may rest assured that circumstances have 
changed, and that could we perceive the bearing of all the 
surrounding conditions, all would appear consistent and 
harmonious. 
THE DRONES. 
These are the male bees, and are generally found in the 
hive only from May to November, though they may remain 
all winter, and are not infrequently absent during the sum- 
mer. Their presence or absence depends on the present 
and prospective condition of the colony. If they are needed, 
or likely to be needed, then they are present. There are 
in nature several hundred, and often thousands in each col- 
ony. The number may and should be greatly reduced by 
the apiarist. The drones (Fig. 29) are shorter than the 
queen, being less than three-fourths of an inch in length, 
are more robust and bulky than either the queen or work- 
ers, and are easily recognized, when flying, by their loud, 
startling hum. As in other societies, the least useful make 
the most noise. This loud hum would seem to be caused 
by the less rapid vibration of their large, heavy wings. 
