12 
impregnation of 
tion from them may have an inten¬ 
sity sufficient to effect impregnation. 
Reamur was of a different opinion: 
he thought that the queens impreg¬ 
nation followed copulation; but not 
being able to prove it by actual ob¬ 
servation} he leaves the question un¬ 
decided. 
Mr. Debra w, an English natura¬ 
list, believed that the queens eggs 
were fecundated by the crones, in 
the manner of frogs and fcsaes, that 
is, after they are produced. Favour¬ 
ed by chance, he one day perceived 
at the bottom of cells containing eggs, 
a whitish fluid,very different fromtne 
* jelly which bees commonly collect 
around their newly hatched worms. 
