1 6 THE APIARY. 



our readers to the standard works on bees that have 

 already been named. 



THE EGGS OF BEES. 



It is necessary that some explanation should be given 

 as to the existence of the bee before it emerges from the 

 cell. 



The eggs (Plate II., fig. 7) of all the three kinds of 

 bees, when first deposited, are of an oval shape, and of 

 a pearly-white colour. In four or five days the ^gg 

 changes to a worm, and in this stage is known by the 

 names of larva or grub (Plate II., fig. 8), in which state 

 it remains four to six days more. During this period it 

 is fed by the nurse-bees with a mixture of farina and 

 honey, a constant supply of which is given to it. The 

 next transformation is to the nymph or pupa form. The 

 nurse-bees now seal up the cells with a preparation 

 similar to wax, and then the pupa spins round itself ^ 

 film or cocoon, just as a silkworm does in its chrysalis 

 state. The microscope shows that this cradle-curtain is 

 perforated with very minute holes, through which the 

 baby-bee is duly supplied with air. No further attention 

 on the part of the bees is now requisite, except a proper 

 degree of heat, which they take care to keep up — a 

 position for the breeding cells being selected in the 

 centre of the hive, where the temperature is likely to be 

 most congenial. 



