66 miner's AMERICAN 



that the impregnation of the queens is exterior to the 

 hive, and of course while on the wing. 



There are two kinds of drones that may sometimes 

 be seen. I refer to a small black drone that occasion- 

 ally appears, differing from the ordinary drone, only in 

 color and size. The difference in color may not, in 

 every case, be very perceptible ; yet they are generally 

 of a darker hue than the larger drones. This kind of 

 drone is supposed to be bred in those cells that immedi- 

 ately connect the full-sized drone with the worker-cells. 

 On inspection, it will generally be found, that a tier or 

 two of cells exist between the drone and worker-cells, 

 of an intermediate size ; and the queen would very na- 

 turally be liable to deposit drone eggs in them ; and in 

 consequence of the size of the cell, the drone has not 

 room for the natural expansions of his body, and conse- 

 quently is of less size. 



This is undoubtedly the true solution of the question ; 

 for it is a well-known fact, that a drone-egg may be put 

 into a worker-cell, by any apiaiian, having an observa- 

 tory hive for experimental purposes, and that it will be 

 nursed by the bees precisely as a worker is treated, and 

 a small drone will be the issue. On the other hand, a 

 worker-egg or larva, being placed in a drone-cell, comes 

 forth an ordinary worker, not a whit the larger for the 

 capaciousness of its tenement. 



It has been said, that drones caress and treat the 

 queen of the hive with great attention and fondness ; 

 but those who have made this assertion, are generally 

 the advocates of the impregnation of the queen by the 



