THE QUEEN. 43 
self an intelligent eye-witness to their substantial truth.* 
103. The process of rearing Queen-bees will now be par- 
ticularly described. Early in the season, if a hive becomes 
very populous, and if the bees make preparations for swarm- 
ing, a number of royal cells 
are begun, being commonly 
constructed upon those edges 
of the combs which are not 
attached to the sides of the 
hive. These cells somewhat 
resemble a small pea-nut, 
and are about an inch deep, 
and one-third of an inch in 
diameter: being very thick, 
they require much wax for 
their construction. They are 
seldom seen in a perfect state 
after the hatching of the 
queen, as the bees cut them 
down to the shape of a small 
Fig. 20. acorn-cup (fig. 20). These 
QUEEN-CELLS IN PROGRESS. queen-cells, while in prog- 
ress, receive a very unusual 
amount of attention from the workers. There is scarcely a 
second in which a bee is not peeping into them; and as fast 
as one is satisfied, another pops in her head to report prog- 
ress, or increase the supply of food. Their importance to 
the community might easily be inferred from their being 
the center of so much attraction. 
104. While the other cells open sideways, the queen-cells 
always hang with their mouth downwards. Some Apiarists 
*The passages referring to religious subjects have been nearly all retained in 
this revision, at Mr. Langstroth’s request, even when not in accordance with 
our views. As intelligent men are always tolerant, we know our readers will 
not object to them. , 
