LOSS OF QUEENS. 197 



vokingly obstiuate, many times. When one takes a survey 

 of animated nature, and finds that male and female are 

 usually about equal in number, he is ready, and often does 

 conclude that a single bee among thousands can not be the 

 only one capable of reproduction or depositing eggs. The 

 idea, to him, is preposterous ! And yet, only a httle obser- 

 vation will upset this apparently consistent reasoning. So 

 it seemed to be very inconsistent that the young queens 

 should leave the hive, but I was compelled, though reluc- 

 tantly, to admit it. That this purpose is, to meet the 

 drones, cannot at present be contradicted. Also, that 

 when the queen is once impregnated, it is operative for iiie. 

 She is never detected coming out again for that purpose. 



A MtHTITUDB OF DBOKES NEEDED. 



What then is the use of the ten thousand drones that 

 never fulfill this important duty ? It seems indeed like a 

 useless expenditure of labor and honey for each stock to 

 rear thousands, when perhaps, but one, sometimes not any, 

 of the whole number is of any use. 1£ the risk is great in 

 the queen's leaving, we find it admirably arranged that it 

 shall not be too frequent. 



Instinct teaches the bees to make the matters left to 

 them, as sure as possible. When they want one queen, 

 they raise half a dozen. If one drone, or only half a 

 dozen were reared, the chances of the queen meeting one 

 in the air, would be very much reduced; But when a 

 thousand are in the air, the chances are a thousand times 

 multiplied. If a stock casts a swarm, a young queen must 

 be impregnated and return safely, or the stock, is lost. 

 Every time she leaves, there is one chance in about twelve 

 of her not returning. If the number of drones were any 

 less than it is, she would have to repeat her excursions, till 

 successful. As it is, some have to leave several times. 

 The chances and consequences of loss are so great, that 



