ORGANS OF THE DRONE. 205 



suc- 

 e 



to understand why finger pressure is usually un 

 cessful in completing the remarkable process. Th 

 theory I suggest appears to me almost conclusive 

 The force which determines the change now under 

 consideration is derived from the pressure the drone 

 brings to bear upon the sexual apparatus, by a 

 violent contraction of the abdominal muscles. Sup- 

 pose this equal to lib. on the square inch, the con- 

 tents of the ductus ejaculatorius, with every internal 

 part, will be subjected to the same; but the muscles 

 of the duct itself also contract with great energy and 

 power, and, if equal in force to those of the abdomen, 

 add another ilb. pressure to the mixed mucus and 

 spermatozoa within. The first mechanical force tends 

 to drive the organ to the outside of the abdomen ; 

 but the second drives the spermatophore backwards, 

 so that it is blown out like the pellet from a popgun, 

 and then the aperture (0) allows to pass some of the 

 fluid from the ductus ejaculatorius, just as air escapes 

 from the glove finger after the removal of the sup- 

 posed mass of paste. Finger pressure fails because, 

 although it can fully substitute the muscular energy 

 of the abdomen, it cannot give any equivalent for 

 the driving energy of the ductus ejaculatorius ; but a 

 little practice will overcome the difficulty, carefully 

 continuing to drive the body contents forward being 

 all that is necessary. When the last step is reached, 

 a sudden explosive effect is produced, which will soil 

 the clothing with flying droplets, unless care be taken. 

 The queen has no pressure within her abdomen, 

 because she has now no gravid ovaries, and her air 

 sacs are small, so that no opposition is offered to 



