376 AFFECTION OF INSECTS TOR THEIR YOUNG. 



adhering by a glutinous covering she places nearly up- 

 right in the bottom of the cell, are hatched. With this 

 bee-bread after it has undergone a conversion into a sort 

 of whitish jelly by being received into the bee's stomach, 

 where it is probably mixed with honey a and regurgitated, 

 the young brood immediately upon their exclusion, and 

 until their change into nymphs, are diligently fed by 

 other bees, which anxiously attend upon them and seve- 

 ral times a day afford a fresh supply. Different bees are 

 seen successively to introduce their heads into the cells 

 containing them, and after remaining in that position 

 some moments, during which they replace the expended 

 provision, pass on to those in the neighbourhood. Others 

 often immediately succeed, and in like manner put in 

 their heads as if to see that the young ones have every 

 thing necessary ; which being ascertained by a glance, 

 they immediately proceed, and stop only when they find 

 a cell almost exhausted of food. That the office of these 

 purveyors is no very simple affair will be admitted, when 

 it is understood that the food of all the grubs is not the 

 same, but that it varies according to their age, beino- in- 

 sipid when they are young, and, when they have nearly 

 attained maturity, more sugary and somewhat acid. The 

 larvae destined for queen-bees, too, require a food alto- 

 gether different from that appropriated to those of drones 

 and workers. It may be recognised by its sharp and 

 pungent taste. 



So accurately is the supply of food proportioned to 



a It is not unlikely that it may undergo some other alteration in 

 the bee's stomach, which may possibly secrete some peculiar sub- 

 stance, as John Hunter discovered that the crop of the pigeon does, 



