42 THE HIVE AND HONBY-BBB. 



Aristptle noticed, more than 2,000 years ago, that the 

 eggs which produce drones are, like the worker-eggs. 

 With the aid of powerful microscopes we are still unable 

 to detect any difiference in the size or appearance of the 

 eggs of the queen. 



These fects taken in connection, appear to constitute a 

 perfect demonstration that unfecundated queens are not 

 only able to lay eggs, but that their eggs have sufficient 

 vitality to produce drones. 



It seems to me probable, that after fecundation has 

 been delayed for about three weeks, the organs of the 

 queen-bee are in such a condition that it can no longer be 

 effected ; just as the parts of a flower, after a certain 

 time, wither and shut up, and the plant becomes incapa- 

 ble of fructification. Perhaps, after a certain time, the 

 queen loses all desire to go in search of the male. The 

 fertile drone-laying workers would seem to be physically 

 incapable of impregnation. 



There is something analogous to these wonders in the 

 " aphides " or green lice, which infest plants. We have 

 undoubted evidence that a fecundated female gives birth 

 to other females, and they in turn to others, all of which 

 without igjpregnation are able to bring forth young; 

 until, after a number of generations, perfect males and 

 females are produced, and the series starts anew ! 



However improbable it may appear that an unimpreg- 

 nated egg can give birth to a livmg being, or that sex can 

 depend on impregnation, we are not at liberty to reject 

 facts because we cannot comprehend the reasons of them. 

 He who allows himself to be- guilty of such folly, if he 

 aims to be consistent, must eventually be plunged into 

 the dreary gulf of atheism. Common sense, philosophy, 



of drones, and given to bees which have neither queen nor brood of any Icind, I 

 believe that qaeei!3, workers, and drones, may bo raised from them. 



