Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ... ment (eggs), so that few or many are produced, according to the necessities of the colony." That this is true to a certain extent, seems highly probable; for if a queen is taken from a feeble colony, her abdomen seldom appears greatly distended; and yet, if put in a strong one, she speedily becomes prolific. He continues: "I conceive that she has the power of regulating or repressing the development of her eggs, so that gradually she can diminish the number maturing and finally cease laying, and remain inactive as long as circumstances require." The old queen appears to qualify herself for accompanying a first swarm, by repressing the development of eggs; and as this is done at the most genial season of the year, it does not seem to be the result of atmospheric influence. The only difference upon this point between Mr. Langstroth and myself is, that he ascribes entirely to the queen the ability to produce a greater or less amount of eggs, whilst I believe this matter is regulated entirely by the common worker bees, by the quantity or quality of food they give her; or in other words, she is an instrument which they use as they see fit, to supply them with eggs from which to replenish the hive with young workers. NO EGGS ARE DEPOSITED BY THE QUEEN IN QUEEN CELLS. This may seem paradoxical to some, yet I think facts will fully confirm this opinion. The inveterate hostility that exists between queens is well known by all observing bee-keepers. So fearful are they of a rival in the family, that I have known them frequently to rush to the queen cells, and if permitted by the bees, destroy the contents of every one, from the larva of a day or two old up to those in an advanced stage; and they are just as ready to do this, and will do it, if...
