NATURAL HISTORY 01" THE HONEY BEE. 71 



The effects produced upon the larvae by this peculiar 

 food and method of treatment, are so very remarkable, that 

 it is not strange that they should be rejected as idle whims, 

 by nearly all, except those who have either been eye-wit- 

 nesses to them, or have been well acquainted with the char- 

 acter and opportunities for accurate observation, of those on 

 whose testimony they have received them. They are not only 

 in themselves most marvelously strange, but on the face of 

 them, so entirely opposed to all common analogies, and so 

 very improbable, that many men when asked to believe 

 them, feel almost as though an insult were offered to their 

 common sense. The most important of these effects, I shall 

 briefly enumerate. 



1st. The peculiar mode in which the worm designed to be 

 reared as a Queen, is treated, causes it to arrive at maturity, 

 almost one-third earlier than if it had been bred a worker. 

 And yet, as it is to be much more fully developed, according 

 to ordinary analogy, it should have had a slower growth. 



2d. Its organs of reproduction are completely developed, 

 so that it is capable of fulfilling the office of a mother. 



3d. Its size, shape and color are all greatly changed. Its 

 lower jaws are shorter, its head rounder, its abdomen with- 

 out the receptacles for secreting wax, and its legs have 

 neither brushes nor baskets, while its sting is more curved, 

 and one-third longer than that of a worker. 



4th. Its instincts are entirely changed. Reared as a 

 worker, it would have been ready to thrust out its sling at 

 the least provocation ;, whereas now, it may be pulled limb 

 from limb, without attempting to sting. As a worker it 

 would have treated a Queen with the greatest consideration ; 

 whereas now, if brought into contact with another Queen, 

 it rushes forthwith to mortal combat with it rival. As a 

 worker, it would frequently have left the hive, either for 



