“6 THE HISTORY OF BEES. 
whofe property and peculiar province it is to prepare the 
matrixes, and collect and adminifter fit matter for the 
nutrition and growth of the worm, or foetus, till it comes 
to perfection, and is able to take care of itfelf, and then 
the moft diligent and tender nurfes are fully eae 
from their office. 
It is moft certain that the prolifick fubftance or matter 
which is depofited in the cells prepared and appointed 
for procreation, and which after a few days quickens, 
and appears a little worm or maggot, proceeds from the 
Queen-Bee alone. 
The queftion then, in order to decide the long dif- 
pute, viz. whether this Bee is male or female, is whe- 
ther the faid matter, thus placed in the feveral matrixes, 
is (in nature) fperm, or an egg. 
_ Twill briefly propofe the reafons which have induced 
me to embrace the latter opinion againft the ancients, 
and fome moderns, and conclude this Bee to be a female, 
and the only female ; vz. that manifeft and conftant 
jdentity, which is very obvious both in the dimenfions 
and form of it; together with it’s different parts, or 
compofition. : 
The identity, or perpetual equality of it’s feveral di- 
menfions, Examine thefe moft ftriftly, and compare 
them together as oft as you will, and no inequalities in 
their bulk and magnitude can be difcerned, no alterati- 
on or difference among them; they always appear the 
very fame. 
Again, its invariable form, (an oblong figure) may be 
afurther evidence. The moft diligent and curious at- 
tention 
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