66 AUSTRALASIAN 



which are now accepted as correct in almost every particular, 

 and each one of which is fully discussed in the excellent work 

 of the Baron von Berlepsch : — 



" 1. A colony of bees, in its normal condition, consists of three cha- 

 racteristically different kinds of individuals — the queen, the workers, 

 and (at certain periods) the drones. 



"2. In the normal condition of a colony, the queen is the 

 only perfect female present in the hive, and lays all the eggs 

 found therein. These eggs are male and female. From the former 

 proceed the drones; from the latter, if laid in narrow cells, 

 proceed the workers, or undeveloped females ; and from them 

 also, if laid in wider, acorn-shaped, and vertically suspended, 

 so-called royal cells, laviehly supplied with a peculiar pabulum or 

 jelly, proceed the queens. 



"3. The queen possesses the ability to lay male or female eggs at 

 pleasure, as the particular cells she is at the time supplying may 

 require. 



"4. In order to become qualified to lay both male and female eggs, 

 the queen must be fecundated by a drone, or male bee. 



"5. The fecundation of the queen is always effected outside of the 

 hive, in the open air, and while on the wing. Consequently, in order 

 to become fully fertile, that is, capable of laying both male and female 

 eggs, the queen must leave her hive at least once. 



" 6. In the act of copulation, the genitalia of the drone enter the 

 vulva of the queen, are there retained, and the drone simultaneously 

 perishes. 



"7. The fecundation of the queen, once accomplished, is effica 

 cious during her life, or so long as she remains healthy and vigorous; 

 and when once become fertile, she never afterwards leaves her hive, 

 except when accompanying a swarm. 



"8. The ovaries of the queen are not impregnated in copulation; 

 but a small vesicle, or sac, which is situated near the termination of 

 the oviduct, and communicating therewith, becomes charged with the 

 semen of the drone. 



"9. All eggs germinated in the ovary of the queen develop as 

 males, unless impregnated by the male sperm while passing the mouth 

 of the seminal sac or spermatheca when descending the oviduct. If 

 they be thus impregnated in their downward passage (which impreg- 

 nation the queen can effect or omit at her pleasure) they develop as 

 females. 



" 10. If a queen remain unfecundated she ordinarily does not lay 

 eggs. Still exceptional cases do sometimes occur, and the eggs then 

 laid produce drones only. 



" 11. If, in consequence of superannuation, the contents of the 

 spermatheca of a fecundated queen become exhausted ; or, if from 

 enervation or accident, she Ipse the power of using the muscles 

 connected with that organ, so as to be unable to impregnate the 

 passing egg, she will thenceforward lay drone eggs only, if she lay 

 at all. 



