pee, 
cio, 
_ 
1 
papi 
ale 
} ia 



330 THE INSECT WORLD. 
however, differ in any way from those of the workers. The diura 
ence in their development depends entirely on the space and food 
allowed them. 
We represent (Fig. 320) a portion of a comb containing the 
eggs placed in the cells, as also the royal cells. The regular 
order of laying is such as 
we have just described, but 
the result is quite different 
when the impregnation of 
the queen has been re- 
", tarded by an _ accidental 
yy captivity of two or three 
Mi) weeks. The longer this 
|delay, the greater will be 
the number of male eggs. 
If the queen is shut up for 
more than twenty days after 
her birth, she can then lay 
nothing but male eggs 
during the remainder of her 
existence. It seems, also, 
! that this delay troubles her 
Fig. 320.—Portion of the comb, with the eggs occupying intellect; for she then often 
the cells. One of the royal cells has been opened by 
the Queen. makes blunders as- to the 
cells. She lays the eggs of the males or drones in the cradles 
prepared for the queens, and thus brings confusion into the future 











community. 
The eggs, once laid, are left to the care of the working bees, 
which Réaumur called the nurses, in opposition to the wax- 
workers, which are employed in works of construction. According 
to many bee-keepers, and especially M. Hamet,* this division of 
duties is not positive. The young workers are the wax-workers ; 
the old ones, collectors of honey, and nurses. However, when the 
honey-harvest is at its height, all the workers collect the spoil. 
Every individual is pressed into the service at the harvest-time, 
as with men. 
The eggs are not long in being hatched. From the moment 
* “Cours d’Apiculture,” in 80, Paris, 1864. 

a 

