§ IV.] THE WORKER. 33 



abroad, a certain quantity of worker brood is still con- 

 tinually set on, but to a limited extent, while the breed- 

 ing of drones is not only given up, but the already 

 deposited drone brood is usually thrown out, and the 

 drones themselves, as no longer of any use, are expelled 

 from the hive. Comb-building too, which the bees so 

 eagerly carried on in the spring, now rests entirely, as 

 it would consume honey, and at the first autumn gather- 

 ing the bees in fact fill all cells to hand with honey, 

 though previously these may for the most part have 

 served for brood-rearing. Their activity is now bent to 

 securing their future position by accumulating the largest 

 possible store of honey, and preserving themselves 

 against draughts and cold by stopping up the holes in 

 their dwelling with propolis, and narrowing the too wide 

 flight-holes ; and these cares generally occupy them so 

 long as the temperature is of such a degree that they 

 can still make their flights, which is up to about 13 

 degrees Reaumur [say 60 Fahr.] .... When there 

 is nothing more to gather, the bees, in order to save 

 strength as well as honey, fly out no longer, even on 

 the finest days, but preserve themselves in complete 

 repose, and only undertake, after several days, an occa- 

 sional sport before the hive on some wann noonday, 

 so as to cleanse themselves once more before the winter." 

 Dr. Evans addresses and describes the worker bee 

 in two passages of such real beauty that we cannot 

 refrain from giving them a place here :— 



3 



