4 THE BEE-KEEPER'S MANUAL. 
To those who may be unacquainted with the leading 
characteristic of the honey-bee, it is necessary to 
premise that in every family, when fully constituted, 
its members are of three kinds of individuals ; v1Z., 
Vf 
o- A Queen, ov Mother Bee, 
eae 
« The Common, or Working Bees ; 
mA 
‘, 
And (during apart of the year) the 
Male, or Drone Bees. 
Thus associated, they severally perform their allotted 
functions in great harmony, labouring for the general 
good, combining in self-defence, recognising one 
another, but permitting, as a rule, the intrusion of no 
stranger within the hive. 
THE QUEEN OR MOTHER BEE 
Is darker on the back, longer, and more taper towards 
the end of her body than the common bees; has 
