88 



PHTSIOLOGT OF THE HONET-BEE. 



mon parent ; and the same result must have taken place in 

 each successive generation, until the whole species would 

 eventually have "runout." By the present arrangement, 

 the young queens, when they leave the hive, often find the 

 air swarming with drones, many of which belong to other 

 colonies, and thus, by crossing the breed, provision is con- 

 stantly made to prevent deterioration. 



Experience has proved that impregnation may be effected ' 

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

 young queen, but even when there are none in her immedi- 

 ate neighborhood. Intercourse takes place very high in the 

 air (perhaps that less risk may be incurred from birds), 

 and this favors the crossing of stocks. 



197. " Comparative Table of the Normal Duration 

 OF THE Bee's Transformations from Eggs to Winged 

 Insects. 



Eggs 



Growth of larva . 

 Spinning of cocoon . . 

 Period of rest . . . 

 Metamorphosis into pupa 

 Duration of this stage . 



days 



Average time from egg to winged insect 1 6 



21 



24 



