THE QUEEN. 



43 



self an intelli,<;ont oye-witni'ss to their substantial truth.* 



103. The proi'oss of rearing (Jueou-beos will now be par- 

 tii'uhirly dosfiilnHl. Early in tlie season, if a hive becomes 

 very populous, and if the bees make preparations for swarm- 

 ing, a nuuil)er of royal cells 

 are hegun, being commonly 

 constructed upon those edges 

 of tlu^ combs which are not 

 attached to the sides of the 

 hive. These cells somewhat 

 resemble a small pea-nut, 

 and are about an inch deep, 

 and one-third of an inch in 

 diameter : being very thick, 

 they require much wax for 

 their construction. They are 

 seldom seen in a perfect state 

 after the hatching of the 

 queen, as the bees cut them 

 down to the shape of a small 

 acorn-cup (fig. 20). These 

 queen-cells, while in prog- 

 ress, receive a very unvisual 



amount of attention from the workers. There is scarcely a 

 second in which a bee is not peeping into them ; and as fast 

 as one is satisfied, another pops in her head to report prog- 

 ress, or increase the supply of food. Their importance to 

 the community might easily be inferred from their being 

 the center of so much attraction. 



104. While the other cells open sideways, the queen-cells 

 always hang with their mouth dotmnvards. Some Apiarists 



rig. 20. 



QUKEN-CELLS IN PROGKBSS. 



« The passages referring to religious subjects have heen nearly all retained in 

 this revision, nt Mr'. Langislroth''i reiiueal., even when not in accordance with 

 onr views. As intelligent men are always tolerant, we know onr readers wiJl 

 not ohject to them. 



