46 AUSTRALIAN BEE LORE AND BEE CULTURE- 



centre. The axis around which revolves all the interesting facts 

 of the bee-home is the queen. The queen is the centre of success 

 for the commercial beekeeper; she is also the centre of failure. 

 The whole of the domestic economy of the hive is centred in her, 

 and all the interesting lessons given and learned on the subject are 

 as nothing when the queen is absent. 



The queen bee has been studied and written about more than 

 any other inmate of the hive, or the female of any other species of 

 insects ; nevertheless, the queens of other species of bees are full 

 of interest. 



When a young queen first emerges from the cell she does not 

 leave the hive until she is fixed as sole head of the establishment. 

 She remains in what is known as the queen cell till she is fully 

 developed, and ready for all emergencies. Usually she remains in 

 the hive perfectly contented for five or six days after she escapes 

 from the cell. During this period she is treated only as a com- 

 moner by the worker bees. After that period she takes her 

 marital flight. Prior to her leaving the hive for this purpose the 

 air resounds with the deep sound produced by the numerous drones 

 (male bees) that are on the wing. The excursions of the drones 

 are only made on fine days, and immediately around about the 

 hive from which they have made their exit ; and the reason of these 

 flights is in quest of queens. When these drones are on the wing, 

 the queen, if she be sufficiently mature, soon follows. If prevented 

 by some of the modern appliances now in use she exhibits the 

 utmost anxiety to escape, by searching in the most anxious manner 

 every available nook that may, perchance, afford her exit. Even 

 if there be no impediment to prevent her from taking her marital 

 flight, she appears to be greatly agitated, as if full of timidity or 

 anxiety. She decks herself in no bridal costume, but, as she is 

 about to sally forth, she is a thing of beauty. She is all aglow 

 in her most beautiful tints. She is small — not much larger than 

 an ordinary worker; it is true, perhaps a little more lady-like, 

 but, like all brides, she puts on her most fascinating looks and 

 graces. Among all the drones that are out awaiting her 

 advent there is but one that will be chosen as bridegroom ; all the 

 others are to be best men, or perhaps only second and third best, 

 for in this case the race is to the one that is most expert and alert 

 of wing. The bride, full of apparent coyness, advances, circles, 

 and recedes, pursued by a number of the lords of the bee creation. 

 With the most agile the gordian knot is tied. The final matri- 

 monial ceremony is completed mid-air. She that went forth as the 



