Their Method of Generation. — 89 
The firft flep towards. generation of Bees is the egg, 
depofited by the Queen in the cell, or matrix prepared 
for that purpofe. Mr. Ru/den writes, that the fperm of 
the King-Bee is injected into each cell after the Honey- 
Bees have firft put in fome generative matter. 
_ Thave frequen‘ly upon trial found the contrary, eggs 
in the cells, without any ofthe faid matter mingled with 
them, therefore I deny the affertion; as alfo that the 
matrix is ftopped clofe up, and covered with wax, at the 
firft mixture.* 
The egg thus fixed in the bottom of the cell keeps for 
a few days, (as long as it remains without life or moti- 
on) it’s form, or fituation, without the leaft change. 
It’s next appearance, or form, is that of a little worm 
or maggot, and nothing more, turning itfelf into a round 
or femicircle at the bottom of the cell, where it floats 
in a proper liquid, whereby it is nourifhed, and-it’s bulk 
daily encreafed, 
What the nature of this liquid is Mr. Bradley tells us 
cannot be known, by reafon of the {mallnefs of it’s quan- 
tity ; and therefore we remain in doubt whether the fame 
be honey carried thither by the Bees, for the nutrition 
of the embryo, or fome other matter proper to fructify 
the fperm.t 
Certainly it is not honey, nor hath the tafte of honey, 
_ but only water mixed with the matter before mentioned, 
gathered by the tender mothers, and placed in the faid 
cells, as proper food for their fupport. , 
tie Bradley further fays in the fame page, of what 
nature foever this firft liquor may be wherewith the {mall 
worm 
@ Rufden, p. 55.56. + Bradley; p. 234. 
