(«6 THE HISTORY OF BEES, 
whofe property and peculiar province it is to prepare the 
matrixes, and collect and adminifter fit matter for the r 
nutrition and growth of the worm, or foetus, till it comes — 
to perfection, and is able to take care of itfelf, and then 
the moft diligent and tender nurfes are fully reef 
from their office. . 
It is moft certain that the opbtihek fubftance or matter 
which is depofited in the cells prepared and appointed | 
for procreation, and which after a few days quickens, 
and appears a little worm or maggot, proceeds from the 
Queen-Bee alone. 
The queftion then, in order to decide the long dif- 
pute, Viz. whether this Bee is male or female, is whe- 
/ ther the faid matter, thus placed in the feveral matrixes, 
is ‘(in nature) fperm, oranege. ~ 
_, Twill briefly propofe the reafons which have induced 
me to embrace the latter opinion againft the ancients, 
and fome moderns, and conclude this Bee to be a female, 
and the only female ; viz. that manifeft and conftant 
identity, which is very obvious both in the dimenfions 
and form of it; together fue it’s different parts, or 
compofition. . 
The identity, or perpetual equality of it’s feveral di- 
menfions. Examine thefe moft ftrialy, and compare 
them together as oft as you will, and no inequalities in 
their bulk and magnitude can be difcerned, no alterati- 
on or difference among them ; they always appear the 
very fame. | 
Again, its invariable form, (an oblong figure) may be 
2 further evidence. The moft diligent ‘and curious at- 
tention 
