Now these eggs are all duly fecundated, and capable of
hatching into young bees, though the queen never meets
a drone after the first few days of her existence. ;


EGG-LAYING.
This commences from six to ten days after impregna-
tion takes place. Who can think of the laborious and
monotonous life of a queen bee without feeling a little
compassion? This queenly creature leads a life of toil.
Six months of the year does she move from comb to comb,
and from cell to cell, minding her own business. Thus
she travels up and down the hive, seeking empty cells in


8 HANDY BOOK OF BEES.
