16 PHYSIOLOGY OP THE THREE CLASSES. 
drones leave the hive in considerable numbers about noon, on 
fine days, and the young queens make their excursions soon af- 
ter. Whenever this service is supposed to be accomplished for 
the season, they are relentlessly driven forth and destroyed by 
the workers. A stock of bees that has lost its queen and failed 
to rear another, will retain drones after all others are destroyed, 
and frequently throughout the winter. Without drones the 
young queens would remain barren, and the race soon become 
extinct. The number of drones in a hive is often very large, 
amounting to hundreds and even thousands. In a state of na- 
ture, or where but one or two hives are kept, a greater propor- 
tion of drones are necessary as the young queen, when making 
her “bridal trip,” should be sure of a speedy meeting, for, when 
roaming long in search of one, she is more liable to accidents. 
Where several colonies are kept, if each rear a few dozen drones 
there will be enough, in the aggregate, for all practical purposes. 
In movable comb hives all excess of drone comb should be 
removed, and the production of useless consumers thus pre- 
vented. 
THE WORKER. 
The workers, although the most diminutive in size of the three 
classes, are alike the wonder and admiration of the student of 
nature. 
When we consider their unvarying God implanted instincts, 
whether displayed in hoarding rich stores for future use, in their 
matchless architectural skill, as seen in comb-building, or in their 
entire devotion to the welfare of the queen and her numerous, 
