DRONES. 5 



are larger than the workers ; 'o§ a clurnfy 

 fhape^ and their extremity large, as are their 

 eyes ; their trunk, or probofcis, mart and 

 thin, and the body more hairy. They 

 make a much louder and rougher noife than 

 the workers; and having no fting, nor 

 inftrument to collect honey, are mftained 

 by that of the hive. 



It feems clear to me, that the drones are 

 of no other ufe but that of propagation. 

 I have, indeed, often found, that Itocks will 

 fwarm before any drones appeared ; yet, 

 perhaps, fome were bred long before, re- 

 ading in the warmed part of the hive : and 

 which facts proved true ; for drone nymphs 

 have been caft out in early fpring. Soon 

 after honey-gathering ceafes, they become 

 devoid of the fpermatie milky liquor, and 

 therefore are difcarded. The queen, con- 

 taining fome thoufand eggs at a time in her 

 body, demands a larger fii'pply of the prolific 

 juice than a few drones are equal to furnifh. ' 

 This accounts for the large number of 

 drones found in the hives, as being abfo- 

 lutely neceffary* As foon as the queen 

 finds no occafion for their fervice, they 

 B 3 feparate 



