Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/81

Rh in some even the cast or second swarm throws off a colony of 10,000 or 12,000; and still, at the end of harvest, this original stock-hive shall exhibit a population of 18,000 or 20,000. Add to all this, in some instances, though rare, a first swarm throws off two colonies. Before depositing her egg, the Queen carefully examines the cell, inserting her head into it, and keeping it there for a second or two; and, as already stated (page 63), after having laid a few eggs on one side of the comb, proceeds to the other side, and with a view probably of economizing heat, supplies the corresponding cells upon that side. Her impatience or necessity to commence laying is such, that in a newly-established hive eggs will be found before there are three inches square of comb constructed, and even before the cells have attained their full depth. And in a well-peopled hive, even during winter, and while the temperature is chilled by the frosts and snows of January, and the bleak winds of the following month, the indefatigable Mother-bee is found busied in depositing eggs. We have said that the Queen begins laying eggs forty-six hours after impregnation. This does not hold true invariably. A sudden change of temperature may prolong the interval to a very considerable extent. Huber had a Queen impregnated in October, which, on account of the inclemency of the season, did not begin laying till the following spring. The eggs, when laid, remain fixed on the superior angle of the cell, to which they are attached by a