32 THE HONEY-BEE. 
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 doubt, 
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. 
in 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 
Fig. 6.—k@Gs AND LARVZ, 
