33 



THE HOKET-BEE. 



Fig. 6.— EGGS AND LABV^. 



at the ends, semi-transparent, and covered with a very 

 thin and delicate coat, which will often break at the 

 slightest touch. 



WHEN THE EGGS HATCH. 



After the egg has been in the cell about three days, a 

 small white worm may be seen coiled in the bottom, sur- 

 rounded by a milk-like sub- 

 stance, which, without douDt, 

 is its food. How this food is 

 prepared, is mere conjecture. 

 The supposition is, that it is 

 chiefly composed of pollen ; 

 this is strongly indicated by 

 the quantity which accumu- 

 lates in hives that lose their 

 queen and rear no brood — that 

 is, when a requisite number of 

 workers is left. The workers may be seen entering the 

 cell every few minutes, probably to supply this food. 

 When the comb is new and white, these operations can 

 be seen more distinctly than when it is old and dark. 

 (Fig. 6.) 



In about six days after the worm hatches, it is sealed 

 over with a convex waxen lid. It is now hidden from our 

 sight for about twelve days, when it bites off the cover, 

 and comes forth a perfect bee. A very thin silken 

 cocoon remains, which has been spun by the larva. Old 

 combs are sometimes thought to be objectionable, from 

 the accumulation of these cocoons, thereby reducing the 

 cells in size, and diminishing the size of the bees reared 

 m them ; but the extreme thinness of the lining deprives 

 this objection of force. The period from the egg to the 

 perfect bee, varies from twenty to twenty-four days, aver- 

 aging about twenty-one for workers, and twenty-four for 

 drones. The temperature of the hive will vary somewhat 



