6 THE BOOK OF THE HONEY BEE 



logically, they are undeveloped females so far as 

 the ovaries are concerned. The brain, however, is 

 much larger than the brain of either the queen or 

 drone, and the glandular system is most highly de- 

 veloped. With the exception of reproducing their 

 species, the whole work of the hive is performed by 

 them. Upon them devolves the secretion of the wax, 

 the building of the combs, the gathering of honey, 

 pollen and propolis, this latter body being generally 

 gummy and resinous substances exuded by the leaf 

 buds and the bark of various trees, and used by the 

 bees as a cement. The workers also prepare food 

 for and nurse the larvae. They constitute the ruling 

 spirit of the hive, regulating entirely its internal 

 economy. 



The life of the worker bee during the summer 

 seldom lasts longer than from four to six weeks. 

 During the winter they hybernate, and in this con- 

 dition may live well into the following spring. 



They are also furnished with stings, which they 

 use in defence of their stores. 



