92 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HONEY-BEE. 



Experience has proved that impregnation- may be effected 

 not only when there are no drones in the colony of the yomig 

 queen, but even ■v\hen there are none in her immediate neigh- 

 borhood. Intercourse takes place very high in the air (per- 

 haps that less risk may be meurred from birds), and this 

 favors the erossmg of stocks. 



lOy. CoMP.\EATivE Table op the Normal Duration" of 

 THE Bee's Thansformations from Eggs to Winged Insects. 



Queen. Worker. Drone. 



Eggs days b 3 3 



Growth of larva " 5V2 6V2 



Spinning of cceoon " 1 2 1% 



Period of rest '■ 2 2 3 



Metamorphosis iiit.i pupa 'Ill 



Duration of this stage " 3V2 7 9 



Av. time from egg to winged insect. . .16 21 24 



