The Life of the Bee 
and each of these will possess millions of 
the spermatozoa whereof it is impossible 
that a single one can have penetrated into 
the organism of the mother. That may 
not be more astounding, perhaps, than a 
thousand other and analogous phenomena ; 
and indeed, when we consider these prob- 
lems, and more especially those of. genera- 
tion, the marvellous and the unexpected 
confront us so constantly—occurring far 
more frequently, and above all in far less 
human fashion, than in the most miraculous 
fairy stories—that after a time astonishment 
becomes so habitual with us, that we almost 
cease to wonder. The fact, however, is 
sufficiently curious to be worthy of notice. 
But, on the other hand, how shall we ex- 
plain to ourselves the aim that nature can 
have in thus favouring the valueless drones 
at the cost of the workers who are so 
essential? Is she afraid lest the females 
might perhaps be induced by their intellect 
unduly to limit the number of their para- 
sites, which, destructive though they be, are 
still necessary for the preservation of the 
race? Or is it merely an exaggerated 
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