THE OPERATION OF LAYING. 11 
These cells vary from one another in size, according as they are to be 
used as depositories of eggs that are to become drones, or of those 
that are to become workers. The cells of the drones are built at the 
lower edge of the combs generally, and are about as large again as 
the cells of the workers, and the combs containing them are also much 
thicker, The store-cells and drone-cells are of the same size. There 
are but two diameters for the cells of the combs of the honey bee, 
one for the brood-comb of the workers, the other for drone and 
store combs. The brood-combs are, however, occasionally used to 
store honey in. The royal or queen cells are about as large as a peanut, 
and bear a great resemblance to that nut, and are always placed on 
the edge of the comb, either on the outside or on the side of a hole or 
passage-way through the comb, with the mouth downwards. 
CHAPTER III 
THE OPERATION OF LAYING. 
THE queen commences laying as early as January and February, if 
the weather is moderate, and lays to a greater or less extent accord- 
ing to the temperature of the weather, the strength of the stock, and 
amount of honey in the hive, and much earlier in a southern than 
northern climate. 
She first lays worker eggs for several weeks in succession in that 
portion of the combs denominated brood-combs, and occupying the 
central part of the hive. The following description of the operation 
of laying (which is correct to the letter) is given by the “ Rev. M. 
Dunbar, Minister of Applegarth, England,” and Dr. Bevan says “ they 
are quite in accordance with similar experiments made by Mr. Golding 
and himself.” Mr. Miner, also, and several American authors, have 
certified to the correctness of the statement. “Mr. D. states that 
when the queen is about to lay she puts her head into a cell and re- 
mains in that position for a second or two, probably to ascertain the 
fitness for the deposit which she is about to make. She then with- 
draws her head, and curving her body downwards, inserts her tail 
into the cell. In afew seconds she turns half round upon herself, and 
