THE HONEY-BEE. 33 



with the atmospliere ; it is also governed by the number 

 of bees. A low temperature probably retards the develop- 

 ment of brood, while a high one facilitates it. 



The young bee, when it first hatches from the egg, is 

 termed a larva ; from this state it changes to the shape of 

 the perfect bee, which is said to be three days after finish- 

 ing the cocoon. From the time of this change, until it is 

 ready to leave the cell, the terms pupa, nymph, and chry- 

 salis, are applied. The lid of the drone cell is rather 

 more convex than that of the worker, and when removed 

 by the young bee in working its way out, is left nearly 

 perfect, being cut ofE around the edges ; a coat or lining 

 of silk keeps it whole. The covering of the worker cell is 

 mostly wax, and is much cut to pieces by the time the 

 bee emerges. The covering to the queen cell is like that 

 of the drone cell, but of greater diameter, and thicker, 

 being lined with a little more silk. 



The difference between sealed brood-cells, and honey- 

 cells, is chiefly distinguishable by the darker color of the 

 capping of the former, and their slight depression below 

 the plane of the honey-cells. 



At the proper season, when the hive becomes crowded 

 with bees, and honey is plenty, and they are left to the 

 course which their natural instincts dictate, preparations 

 for swarming will commence. One of the first steps is 

 the construction of more or less queen-cells. 



THE QUEEN-CELL. 



The shape of this cell depends on the position of the 

 comb from which it is made ; if, from a comb with cells 

 of ordinary length, they are enlarged, lengthened, and 

 turned downward. If the cells are not very deep, or are 

 near the lower edge of the comb where there is abundant 

 room to turn them down, the enlargement and change of 

 direction will be made very soon after they decide upon 

 making a queen-cell. 



