INTRODUCTION OF VIRGIN QUEENS. 277 



show it by angrily surrounding tlie cage in whicli she is 

 confined. 



The Rev. John Thorley, in his "■Female Monarchy," 

 published at London, in 1744, appears to have first intro- 

 duced the practice of stupefying bees by the narcotic fumes 

 of the " puff ball " {Fungus pulverulentus), dried till it will 

 hold lire like tinder. The bees soon drop motionless from 

 their comb, and recover again after a short exposure to the 

 air. This method was once much practicedin France, (L'Ap- 

 iculteur, page 17, Paris, 1856) but is very dangerous, as too 

 large a dose of anaesthetics will cause death instead of sleep. 



Introduction of Virgin Queens. 



641. The difference in looks between a virgin queen 

 and an impregnated one is striking, and an expert will 

 distinguish them at a glance. The virgin queen is slender, 

 her abdomen is small, her motions quick, she runs about and 

 almost flies over the combs, when trying to hide from the 

 light. In fact, she has nothing of the matronly dignity of 

 a mother. 



Bees, in possession of a fertile queen, are quite reluctant 

 to accept an unimpregnated one in her stead ; indeed, it 

 requires much experience to be able to give a virgin queen 

 to a colony, and yet be sure of securing for her a good re- 

 ception. 



Mr. Langstroth was the first to ascertain, years ago, that 

 the best time to introduce her, is just after her birth, as soon 

 as she can crawl readily. If introduced too soon, the bees 

 may drag her out, as they would any imperfect worker. 

 Most queen-breeders liberate them on the comb, or at the 

 entrance of a queenless nucleus. Mr. H. D. Cutting, of 

 Clinton, Mich., recommends daubing the young queen with 

 honey, as she comes out of her cell, and liberating her 



