ORGANS OF THE QUEEN. 



231 



and Lieberkiihn — we find the netting disposed in a 

 radiating pattern, reminding one of the cordage over 

 a balloon, which leads up to the strong ring at top. 

 In the centre lies a single aperture (the micropyle) 

 marking the point for the insertion of the funiculus, 

 by which the egg was attached during its growth, 

 and from which it separated itself when sufficiently 

 matured. The minuteness of the opening does not 

 prevent its being continued through the underlying 



Fig. 46.— Bee-Egg and Details. 



A, Position of Eggs at Base of Cells (Natural Size). B, Egg (Magnified Twenty-five 

 times), showing Reticulated Chorion — c. Base attached to Cell Bottom ; 

 ma, Micropylar Aperture. C, Chorion (Magnified 200 times). D, Micropylar 

 Aperture (Magnified 100 times). 



egg membranes, and giving an opportunity of entrance 

 to the spermatozoon, whose rhythmic movements, as 

 though guided by intelligence, conduct it to the 

 micropyle when the egg passes within the fertilising 

 pouch, on its road towards being laid in a worker 

 cell. The wondrous thread enters, coalesces with 

 the germ, brings about fertilisation, and effects the 

 resulting sex, as previously recited facts force us 

 to believe. The egg so impregnated yields a female, 



