INTRODUCTION OF VIRGIN QUEENS. 277 
show it by angrily surrounding the cage in which she is 
confined. 
The Rev. John Thorley, in his ‘‘ Female Monarchy,’ 
published at London, in 1744, appears to have first intro- 
duced the practice of stupefying bees by the narcotic fumes 
of the ‘‘ puff ball’? (Fungus pulverulentus), dried till it will 
hold fire like tinder. The bees soon drop motionless from 
their comb, and recover again after a short exposure to the 
air. This method was once much practicedin France, (L’ Ap- 
iculteur, page 17, Paris, 1856) but is very dangerous, as too 
large a dose of anesthetics will cause death instead of sleep. 
INTRODUCTION OF VIRGIN QUEENS. 
541. The difference in looks between a virgin queen 
and an impregnated one is striking, and an expert will 
distinguish them at a glance. The virgin queen is slender, 
her abdomen is small, her motions quick, she runs about and 
almost flies over the combs, when trying to hide from the 
light. In fact, she has nothing of the matronly dignity of 
a mother. 
Bees, in possession of a fertile queen, are quite reluctant 
to accept an unimpregnated one in her stead; indeed, it 
requires much experience to be able to give a virgin queen 
to a colony, and yet be sure of securing for her a good re- 
ception. 
Mr. Langstroth was the first to ascertain, years ago, that 
the best time to introduce her, is just after her birth, as soon 
as she can crawl readily. If introduced too soon, the bees 
may drag her out, as they would any imperfect worker. 
Most queen-breeders liberate them on the comb, or at the 
entrance of a queenless nucleus. Mr. H. D. Cutting, of 
Clinton, Mich., recommends daubing the young queen with 
honey, as she comes out of her cell, and liberating her 
