Mr. Hunter's Observations on Bees , 
163 
oz. drams. 
January 12th it had lost 5 2 
19th — 3 4 
26th 3 H 
February 2d 5 0 
9th 7 0 
The whole 72 l-f- 
Although an indolent state is very much the condition of 
bees through the winter, yet progress is making in the queen 
towards a summer's increase. The eggs in the oviducts are 
beginning to swell, and, I believe, in the month of March she 
is ready to lay them, for the young bees are to swarm in June; 
which constitutes the queen bee to be the earliest breeder of 
any insect we know. In consequence of this, the labourers be- 
come sooner employed than any other of this tribe of insects. 
This both queen and labourers are enabled to accomplish, 
from living in society through the winter; and it becomes ne- 
cessary in them, as they have their colony to form early in 
the summer, which is to provide for itself for the winter fol- 
lowing. All this requires the process to be carried forward 
earlier than by any other insect, for these are only to have 
young which are to take care of themselves through the sum- 
mer, not being under the necessity of providing for the winter. 
In the month of April, I found in the cells, young bees, in 
all stages, from the egg to the chrysalis state ; some of which 
were changed in their colour, therefore, were nearly arrived at 
the fly state, and probably some might have flown. 
As this season is too early for collecting the provision of the 
maggot abroad, the store of farina comes now into use ; but as 
Y 2 
