BEE CULTURE. 63 
vex cap, being then very prominent, is liable to be injured ; 
and, to protect it, the bees coat it with a fresh layer of wax, 
making it nearly as thick as the cell walls. Fig. 39 shows 
the cell as scen after the anterior compartment has been re- 
moved, exhibiting the convex cap a. 
Fie. 38.—Finished Queen Cell, sealed over. 
The young queen pierces a hole through the edge of the 
cover (Fig. 39, a) with her mandibles (Fig. 35), and then 
makes a circular cut along its periphery. Being thus de- 
tached from the cell walls, the cap drops, opening a circular 
passage, through which the queen emerges. 
To cut a queen cell out, commence on each side of the base 
of the cell, not nearer than half an inch, and cut upwards a 
wedge-shaped piece (see Fig. 11), being careful not to squeeze 
Fie. 39.—A Ripe Queen Cell. 
or even to handle the base of the cell. A similar wedge- 
shaped piece must be cut out of the frame of comb that it is 
desired to put the cell into. Then carefully place the celi 
into the hole thus made, fitting it securely in position ; place 
the frame into the hive and close it up. 
