THE QUEEN-BEE. 
16 
ver the truth, amidst these contra¬ 
dictory opinions, determined to bring 
them to the test of actual experiment. 
According to the hypothesis of the 
first mentioned naturalist % he con¬ 
fined all the drones of a hive in a tin 
case perforated with minute holes, 
which allowed the emanation of the 
odour to escape. This case was pla¬ 
ced in a hive completely deprived of 
drones. The consequence was, the 
queen remained barren. Therefore it 
is undoubted, that the emanation of 
the odour of males does not impreg¬ 
nate queens. 
Next, he tried the Experiment of 
Reamur, with as little success. 
* Swammerdam, C 
