DEVELOPMENT OF BROOD. 



29 



the developing bees is gradually increased, while preserving the gen- 

 eral spherical s]iai)euf the brood nest thus formed, which, however, the 

 shape of the hive often modifies somewhat. As already mentioned, each 

 circle of brood has rows of pollen cells about it, chiefly above and at the 

 sides, and the combs on either side contiguous to the brood are usually 

 well packed with pollen. Outside of the ])ollen most of the honey on 

 hand is stored. Thus (fig. 11) a cross section made in any direction 

 through the middle of a hive in normal condition at the opening of the 

 active season should show this relative arrangement of brood, pollen, 

 and honey, which economizes most the heat of the hive and the labors of 

 the nurse bees, favoring in this way the rapid increase of the population. 



THE WORKER. 



The worker larva* are fed tlve days, and then the cell is given by the 

 adult bees a covering which is quite porous by reason of numerous 



i i 



Fig. 1]. — Cross sectiou of brood aiiai-tmt-ut : *, «. .sides of liive: t. t. toji-bars of frames: fi, p, I. sb, 

 combs containing (/() Loney. Oji) pollen. (?) larvit and eggs, and (»6) scaled brood. (Original.) 



pollen grains incorporated into its mass, this openness of texture being 

 necessary to give the developing bee air to breathe. The larva strength- 

 ens this capping by a loose webwork of silk within, extending down the 

 side but slightly and attached at its edges to tlie last skin cast by the 

 molting larva. This skin, extremely delicate and i)resscd closely against 

 the inside of the cell, forms the lining of its sides and bottom. In 

 about twelve days after sealing, that is, twenty-one days from the time 

 the e^xg was deposited, the imago, or perfect bee, bites its way through 

 the brown covering. 



In the course of a couple of days it takes u^) the work(»f a mirsc, and 

 in a week to ten days may appear at the entrance on i)leasant days, 

 taking, however, but short flights for exercise, as ordinary held work is 



