Drones from Uninvpregnated Eggs. 81 



seemingly so incredible, is, as has been shown in speaking of 

 the queen, easily proved and beyond question. These eggs 

 may come from an unimpregnated queen, a fertile worker — 

 which will soon be described — or an impregnated queen who 

 may voluntarily prevent impregnation. It is asserted by some 

 that the workers can change a worker egg to a drone egg at 

 will. When the workers are able to abstract the sperm cells, 

 which are so small that we can only see them by using a high 

 power microscope, then we may expect to see wheat turn to 

 chess. Such eggs will usually be placed in the larger hori- 

 zontal cells (Fig. 31, a), in manner already described. As 

 stated by Bevan, the drone feeds six and a half days as a larva, 

 before the cell is capped. The capping of the drone-celis is 

 very convex, and projects beyond the plane of the same in 

 worker-cells, so that the drone brood is easily distinguished 

 from worker, and from the darker color — the wax being thicker 

 and less pure — the capping of both drone and worker brood- 

 cells enables us easily to distinguish them from honey-cells. 

 In twenty-four days from the laying of the eggs, the drones 

 come forth from the cells. ' Uf course, variation of tempera- 

 ture and other conditions, as variable amount of diet, may 

 slightly retard or advance the development of any brood, in 

 the different stages. The drones — in fact all bees — when they 

 first emerge from the cells, are gray, soft, and appear gener- 

 ally unsophisticated. 



Just what the longevity of the male bee is, I am unable to 

 state. It is probable, judging from analogy, that they live 

 till accident, the worker bees, or the performance of their 

 natural function causes their death. The worker-bees may 

 kill off the drones at any time, which they do by constantly 

 biting and worrying them. They may also destroy the drone- 

 brood. It is not very rare to see workers carrying out imma- 

 ture drones even in mid-summer. At the same time they may 

 destroy inchoate queens. Such action is prompted by a sudden 

 check in the yield of honey, and in case of drones is only com- 

 mon at the close of the season. The beeseeem very cautious and 

 far-sighted. If the signs of the times presage a famine, they 

 stay all proceedings looking to the increase of colonies. On' 

 the other hand, unlimited honey, rapid increase of brood, 

 crowded quarters — whatever the age of the queen — are sure *o 

 bring many of the mate bees, while any circumstances that 



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