PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 155 



their new sovereign. A kind of agitation is now com- 

 municated to the whole surface of the comb, which 

 brings all the bees upon it to see w hat is going forward. 

 This may be called the first shout of the applauding 

 multitude to welcome the arrival of their new sove- 

 reign. The circle of courtiers increases, they vibrate 

 their wings and bodies, but .without tumult, as if their 

 sensations were very agreeable. When she begins to 

 move, the circle opens to let her pass, and all follow 

 her steps. She is received with similar demonstrations 

 of loyalty in the other parts of the hive, is soon ac- 

 knowledged queen by all, and begins to lay eggs. — 

 Reaumur put some bees into a hive without their 

 queen, and then introduced to them one that he had 

 taken when half perished with cold, and kept in a box, in 

 which she had covered herself with powder. The bees 

 immediately owned her for their queen, employed them- 

 selves very anxiously in cleaning her and warming her, 

 sometimes turning her upon her back for th.is purpose — 

 and then began to construct cells in their new habita- 

 tion^. Even when the bees have got young brood, 

 have built or are building royal cells, and are engaged 

 in feeding these hopes of their hive, knowing that their 

 great aim is already accomplished, they cease all these 

 employments when this intruder comes amongst them. 

 With regard to the ordinary attention and homage 

 that they pay to their sovereigns — the bees do more 

 than respect their queen, says Reaumur, they are con- 

 stantly on the watch to make themselves useful to her, 

 and to render her every kind office ; they are for ever 

 offering her honey ; they lick her with their proboscis, 

 " Renum. v, 262. 



