DEVELOPMENT OF BROOD. 
29 
the developing bees is gradually increased, while preserving the gen- 
eral spherical shape of the brood nest tlms formed, which, however, the 
shape of the hive often modifies somewhat. As already mentioned, each 
circle of brood has rows of pollen cells about it, chiefly above and at the 
sides, and the combs on either side contiguous to the brood are usually 
well packed with pollen. Outside of the pollen most of the honey on 
hand is stored. Thus (fig. 11) a cross section made in any direction 
through the middle of a hive in normal condition at the opening of the 
active season should show this relative arrangement of brood, pollen, 
and honey, which economizes most the heat of the hive and the labors of 
the nurse bees, favoring in this way the rapid increase of the population. 
THE WORKER. 
The worker larvae are fed five days, and then the cell is given by the 
adult bees a covering which is quite porous by reason of numerous 
Fig. 11.— Cross section of brood apartment: *, s, sides of hive; t, t, top-bars of frames; /', p, I. sb, 
combs containing (h) honey, (p) pollen, (I) larvae and eggs, and (ab) sealed brood. (Original.) 
pollen grains incorporated into its mass, this openness of texture being 
necessary to give the developing bee air to breathe. The larva strength 
ens this capping by a loose webwork of silk within, extending down the 
side but slightly and attached at its edges to the last skin cast by the 
molting larva. This skin, extremely delicate and pressed closely against 
the inside of the cell, forms the lining of its sides and bottom. In 
about twelve days after sealing, that is, twenty-one days from the time 
the egg was deposited, the imago, or perfect bee, bites its way through 
the brown covering. 
In the course of a couple of days it takes up the work of a nurse, and 
in a week to ten days may appear at the entrance on pleasant days, 
taking, however, but short flights for exercise, as ordinary field work is 
