PHYSIOLOGY. 47 



gradually enlarged in its dimensions, till the two extremities 

 touch one another and form a ring. In this state it is called 

 a larva or worm. So nicely do the bees calculate the quan- 

 tity of food which will be required, that none remains in the 

 cell when it is transformed to a nymph. It is the opinion 

 of many eminent naturalists that farina does not constitute 

 the sole food of the larva, but that it consists of a mixture 

 of farina, honey and water, partly digested in the stomachs 

 of the nursing-bees. " 



" The larva having derived its support, in the manner 

 above described, for four, five or six days, according to the 

 season," (the development being retarded in cool weather, 

 and badly protected hives,) "continues to increase during 

 that period, till it occupies the whole breadth and nearly the 

 length of the cell. The nursing bees now seal over the 

 cell, with a light hrown cover, externally more or less con- 

 vex, (the cap of a drone cell is more convex than that of a 

 worker,) and thlis differing from that of a honey cell which 

 \s paler and somewhat concave.'''' The cap of the brood cell 

 appears to be made of a mixture of bee-bread and wax ; it 

 is not air tight as it would be if made of wax alone ; but 

 when examined with a microscope it appears to be reticu- 

 lated, or full of fine holes through which the enclosed in- 

 sect can have air for all necessary purposes. From its 

 texture and shape it is easily thrust off by the bee when 

 mature, whereas, if it consisted wholly of wax, the young 

 bee would either perish for lack of air, or be unable to 

 force its way into the world ! Both the material and shape 

 of the lids which seal up the honey cells are different, be- 

 cause an entirely different object was aimed at ; they are of 

 pure wax to make them air tight and thus to prevent the 

 honey from souring or candying in the cells ! they are con- 



