24 THE HON-ET-BEE. 



stripe nearly encircles the abdomen at the joints. All the 

 colors are bright and glossy, and she has but little of the 

 down or. hair that is seen on the drones and workers. 

 Different queens vary much in color, some being much 

 darker than others. A still greater variation is presented 

 in the Italian queens, most of which are of a rich golden 

 color, while a few are even darker than the usual shade 

 of the natives. 



For the first f3w days after leaving her cell, her size is 

 much less than after she has assumed her maternal duties. 

 The average age attained by the queen, is 

 about three years. The idea that she gov- 

 erns the colony, and directs all their opera- 

 tions, is probably totally erroneous. They 

 manifest a certain regard and affection for 

 her, however, and a half dozen may often 

 be seen gathered around her, as shown in 

 Fig. l.-QDEBN. gg^^yg 2. Bees will, when destitute of a 

 queen, continue their labors to some extent, but her pres- 

 ence is necessary to insure their permi2nent prosperity. 



WORKEES. 



In size, the workers (fig. 3), are smaller than the 

 queen or drones. Upon them devolves all the labor of 

 the colony. They are provided with a sac or bag for 

 gathering honey, and basket-like cavities on their poste- 

 rior legs in which to pack the pollen of the fiowers in 

 little pellets, for carrying it home to the hive. They range 

 the fields for honey and pollen, secrete wax, construct 

 combs, prepare food to nurse the joang, bring water, 

 obtain propolis to seal up all crevices arid flaws about the 

 hive, stand guard to keep out intruders, etc. 



For the defence of their trj^asures and themselves, 

 they are provided with a sting fe.nd a virulent poison, but 

 will seldom use it when abroad, if unmolested ; they vol- 

 unteer an attack only when ned,r the hive. 



