ORGANS OF THE OUEEN. 221 



brood, until the close of the season, when true meta- 

 morphosis occurs, and the adult form of the insect 

 makes its appearance. 



And who, too, is unacquainted with the far too 

 common, sexless, budding Aphis, passing through 

 several generations, until perfect, sexual, wingless 

 Aphides are brought into existence, upon which seems 

 to be laid the task of continuing the race to the 

 succeeding year. And, leaving the domain of insects, 

 we meet with no less curious instances. Amongst 

 the lowly Rotifers, by example, females are generated 

 by virgins, and males by mated individuals. Nor is 

 parthenogenesis unknown to the world of plants. Dr. 

 Asa Gray gives, as an example, Caelebogyne, respect- 

 ing which he says : " Parthenogenesis is thus con- 

 firmed, and is known to occur in most polyembryony."* 



But it may be argued, that the queen bee is only 

 capable of filling her office as a mated insect, and 

 that, consequently, these illustrations do not apply. 

 In the majority of cases, this is so. Ordinarily, for 

 the first six days following her escape from the 

 queen cell, she manifests no disposition to make an 

 excursion abroad, although numerous drones may 

 be without, floating in the bright sunshine ; and 

 even after this period, when the elements are un- 

 favourable, through chilly winds or falling rain, or 

 in the morning or evening, when drones are at 

 home, she quietly stays within ; but, at the age 

 named above, during the three hours or so which 

 follow midday, when the weather does not forbid, 

 and when the drones are executing their sonorous 



* •' Structural Botany," page 285. Macmillan and Co., 1880. 



