88 PHYSIOLUGY OF THE HONEY-BEE, 
mon parent; and the same result must have taken place in 
each successive generation, until the whole species would 
eventually have ‘‘run out.’’ By the present arrangement, 
the young queens, when they leave the hive, often find the 
air swarming with drones, many of which belong to other 
colonies, and thus, by crossing the breed, provision is con- 
stantly made to prevent deterioration. 
Experience has proved that impregnation may be effected 
not only when there are no drones in the colony of the 
young queen, but even when there are none in her immedi- 
ate neighborhood. Intercourse takes place very high in the 
air (perhaps that less risk may be incurred from birds), 
and this favors the crossing of stocks. 
197. ‘‘ Comparative Taste or THE NormaL Duration 
OF THE BrExE’s TRANSFORMATIONS FROM EcGGs To WINGED 
INSECTS. 
Queen. Worker. Drone. 
Eggs . . . ... . . days. .38 3 3 
Growth of larva. . . . . % . . 5} 6 64 
Spinning of cocoon. . . . * . 11 2 1} 
Period ofrest . . . . . % . 2 2 3 
Metamorphosis into pupa. . ‘ . .1 1 1 
Duration of thisstage. . . ‘ . . 84 7 9 
Average time from egg to wingedinsect 16 21 24 
