MASSACRE OF THE MALES. 
63 
But we now begin to discover the 
object of Nature in multiplying them 
to such an enormous extent. As £e» 
cundation cannot be accomplished in 
the interior of the hive, and as the 
queen is obliged to traverse the ex¬ 
panse of the atmosphere, it is requi¬ 
site the males should be numerous, 
that she may have the chance of meet¬ 
ing some one of them* Were only two 
or three in each hive, there would be 
little probability of their departure 
at the same instant, or that they would 
meet in their excursions, and most of 
the females would thus remain ste¬ 
rile. 
i 
