As the drones increase in number queen-cells are formed, unless steps be taken to turn aside the swarming impulse by affording additional room beforehand in the hive.
With regard to sex, the sex queen is a fully-developed female, the drones are males and the workers may be termed neuters or partially developed females.
Drones (or male bees) are more or less numerous in hives according to the skill of the bee-keeper in limiting their production.
The most complicated sets seen today have 5 drones with a switch for easy key changing, and up to 21 keyed chanters.
Whatever question arose, a swarm of these drones, without having finished their buzzing on a previous theme, flew over to the new one and by their hum drowned and obscured the voices of those who were disputing honestly.
