BEE. 
291 
fill, they do not swarm j therefore by increasing 
the size of the hive, the swarming is prevented. 
This period is much longer in some than in 
others. For some evenings before they come off, 
is often heard a singular noise, a kind of ring, or 
sound of a small trumpet; by comparing it with 
the notes of the piano-forte, it seemed to be- the 
same sound with the lower A of the treble. 
, The swarm commonly consists of three classes ; 
a female, or females*, males, and those commonly 
called mules, which am supposed to be of no sex, 
and are the labourers; the whole about two quarts 
in bulk, making about six or seven thousand. It 
is a question that cannot easily be determined, 
whether this old stock sends off entirely young of 
the same season, and whether the whole of their 
young ones, or only part. As the males are en- 
tirely bred in the same season, part go off; but 
part must stay, and most probably it is so with 
the others. They commonly come off in the heat 
of the day, often immediately after a shower; who 
takes the lead I do not know, but should suppose 
it was the queen. When one goes off, they all 
immediately follow, and fly about seemingly in 
great confusion, although there is one principle 
actuating the whole. They soon appear to be 
directed to some fixed place; such as the branch 
of a tree or bush, the cavities of old trees, holes of 
houses leading into some hollow place; and when- 
* I have reason to believe that never more than one female 
comes otf with a swarm.” 
