142 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
practise wing-clipping incline to the belief that queens 
thus maimed are more likely to be displaced than are 
those that are perfect ; yet it is clear, on the other 
hand, that such queens may do duty for the allotted 
term of their existence. 
The raison d’etre for “ clipping ” is less with us 
than in America, where it is mainly in vogue, though 
even there some of the largest owners are against it. 
I have clipped but few queens, and think that our 
knowledge now of the principles by which swarming 
can be controlled make the process of so little service 
that its disadvantages quite outweigh its benefits. I 
shall content myself, therefore, by explaining the best 
method of using the scissors, for the enlightenment of 
those who desire to experiment. Since the costal 
nervure (page 139, Vol. I.) is the most highly organ- 
ised part of the wing, while it has least to do with 
sustaining the insect in the air, it is best, perhaps, to 
remove as many as possible of the wing cells, leaving 
the costal nervure intact. If this be done with the 
anterior (larger) wing of one side, all balance is 
gone, and flight is impossible ; but those who would 
maim aesthetically (?), say this interferes so much with 
the beauty of the queen, that it is best to give her 
a “symmetrical ” appearance by cutting off the greater 
part of both larger wings. Those who are accustomed 
to handle delicate matters may finger a queen without 
the least risk of injuring her; and it is best to grasp 
the thorax so that the wings stand outwards, while 
the legs are confined, and our scissors will then make 
the cuts as we desire^ especially if we somewhat glue 
the wings, by stroking over them a little honey with 
