We may conclude without scruple that the
production of females from fertilized ova increases with
the temperature and food supply, and decreases as these
diminish.[12]
Nor are there many facts more significant than the simple and
well-known one that within the first eight days of larval
life the addition of food will determine the striking and
functional differences between worker and queen.[13]
It is certainly no mere chance, but agrees with other
well-known facts, that for the generation of the female organ
more favorable external circumstances must prevail, while
the male organ may develop under very much more unfavorable
conditions.[14]
These facts are not conclusive, but they all point in the same
direction, and are probably sufficient to establish a connection
between food conditions and the determination of sex. But behind the
mere fact that a different attitude toward food determines difference
of sex lies the more fundamental--indeed, the real--explanation of
the fact, and this chemists and physiologists are not at present
able to give us.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25