THE HONEY BEE. 
77 
in some even the cast or second swarm throws off a 
colony of 10,000 or 12,000 ; and still, at the end of 
harvest, this original stock-hive shall exhibit a popu- 
lation of 18,000 or 20,000. Add to all this, in some 
instances, though rare, a first swarm throws off two 
colonies. 
Before depositing her egg, the Queen carefully 
examines the cell, inserting her head into it, and 
keeping it there for a second or two ; and, as already 
stated (page G3), after having laid a few eggs on one 
side of the comb, proceeds to the other side, and with 
a view probably of economizing heat, supplies the 
corresponding cells upon that side. Her impatience 
or necessity to commence laying is such, that in a 
newly-established hive eggs will be found before there 
are three inches square of comb constructed, and even 
before the cells have attained their full depth. And 
in a well-peopled hive, even during winter, and while 
the temperature is chilled by the frosts and snows of 
January, and the bleak winds of the following month, 
the indefatigable Motber-bee is found busied in de- 
positing eggs. We have said that the Queen begins 
laying eggs forty-six hours after impregnation. This 
does not hold true invariably. A sudden change of 
temperature may prolong the interval to a very con- 
siderable extent. Huber had a Queen impregnated 
in October, which, on account of the inclemency of 
the season, did not begin laying till the following 
spring. 
The eggs, when laid, remain fixed on the superior 
angle of the cell, to which they are attached by a 
