24 THE HONEY-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 few 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. 1—QUEEN. fioure 2. Bees will, when destitute of a 
queen, continue their labors to some extent, but her pres- 
ence is necessary to insure their permanent prosperity. 
WORKERS. 
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 flowers 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 young, bring water, 
obtain propolis to seal up all crevices and flaws about the 
hive, stand guard to keep out intruders, etc. 
For the defence of their treasures and themselves, 
they are provided with a sting and a virulent poison, but 
will seldom use it when abroad, if unmolested ; they vol- 
unteer an attack only when near the hive. 
