PHYSIOLOGY. 53 



The queen bee usually dies of old age, some time in her 

 fourth year, although instances are on record of some hav- 

 ing survived a year longer. It is highly important to the 

 bee keeper who would reaeive the largest returns from his 

 bees, to be able, as in my hives, to catch the queen and 

 remove her, when she has passed the period of her greatest 

 fertility. In the sequel, full directions will be given, as to 

 the proper time and mode of effecting it. 



Before proceeding farther in the natural history of the 

 queen bee, I shall describe more particularly, the other in- 

 mates of the hive. 



The Drones or Male Bees. 



The drones are, unquestionably, the male bees. Dissec- 

 tion proves that they have the appropriate organs of genera- 

 tion. They are much larger and stouter than either the 

 queen or workers ; although their bodies are not quite so long 

 as that of the queen. They have no sting with which to de- 

 fend themselves ; no proboscis which is suitable for gather- 

 ing honey from thg flowers, and no baskets on their thighs 

 for holding the bee-bread. They are thus physically dis- 

 qualified for work, even if they were ever so well disposed 

 to it. Their proper office is to impregnate the young 

 queens, and they are usually destroyed by the bees, soon 

 after this is completed. 



Dr. Evans the author of a beautiful poem on bees thus 

 appropriately describes them : — 



" Their short proboscis sips 

 No luscious nectar from the wild thyme's lips, 

 From the lime's leaf no amber drops they steal, 

 Nor bear their grooveless thighs the foodful meal : 

 On other's toils in pamper'd leisure thrive 

 The lazy fathers of the industrious hive." 



The drones begin to make their appearance in April or 

 May ; earlier or later, according to climate and the forward- 

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