Quite strong, healthy colonies had on an average only 23 sq. inches of pollen in the combs. This quantity is equivalent to 3 oz. of pollen, and is much less than Farrar (1934, 1936) considers desirable, but, under Aberdeen conditions at least, it would seem closely to represent the quantity naturally present in colonies that have not been specially manipulated in respect of pollen, and that have not been queenless during late summer. 

The measurement of the quantity of pollen stored in capped cells indicates that the approximately 25 lb. of honey uncapped and consumed by the bees of a colony during the 7 months discussed will be associated with only about 0.5 sq. ins. of pollen in capped cells, an amount which is negligible in comparison with the average of 23 sq. ins. left uncapped. 

In their natural economy honeybees winter practically without any major amount of pollen (or protein) but consume only honey, a fairly pure mixture of carbohydrates: and since they would apparently have come to do this in the face of natural selection, it is perhaps a fact worth thinking about.

WINTER BROOD AND POLLEN IN HONEYBEE COLONIES 

Edward P. JEFFREE, B. Sc.  INSECTES SOCIAUX, TOME III, No. 3, 1956.     

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