10 THE BEE-KEEPER’S MANUAL. 
or larva not exceeding the age just specified, and 
enlarge the cell it occupies by sacrificing three of 
the contiguous ones, surrounding it with a cylin- 
dvical enclosure; the new cradle of royalty pre- 
senting in this stage the appearance of an acorn 
cup. The embryo pvincess, for such she has now 
become, is amply supplied with a nurture known as 
“royal jelly,” which consists of a mixture of honey 
with pollen that has undergone partial diges- 
tion in the bodies of the nurses; her habitation 
in the meanwhile receiving elongation to suit her 
erowth. About the fifth day the worm assumes the 
nymph state, the cell being now worked into its 
usual pear-shaped figure; the bees quitting it as 
soon as the lower end is finally closed. About the 
sixteenth day a perfectly developed female comes 
forth, in no respect differing from a queen bred in 
the natural way. Fecundation and the laying of 
egos usually follow in a few days, the economy of 
the hive then resuming its wonted course. But 
should the loss of the queen happen at a season 
when the hive is without any worker brood, the 
whole colony must in time die off, unless a new 
queen is introduced by the bee-keeper. 
The queen bee rarely* leaves home, or is to be 
seen, except in hives constructed purposely with a 
view to observation. In sucha one [ have frequently 
watched the proceedings, as she has leisurely traversed 
* Tt should rather be said never, except when in the first few days or 
weeks of her life she sallics forth in quest of a mate. When this object 
has been once accomplished, she remains impregnated either for her 
entire existence or until hopelessly supcrannuated. Of course the 
occasion of swarming will furnish another exception, 
