138 PROPOLIS. 



transformed into nymphs ; and as they in fact close 

 all the royal cells at different periods, it is evident 

 that the inclosed larvae are not all of an equal age. 



The laying of drone eggs having terminated, the 

 Queen, previously large and unwieldy, becomes slen- 

 der in her figure and more able to fly, and begins to 

 exhibit signs of agitation. She traverses the hive 

 impatiently, abandoning the slow and stately step 

 which was her wont, and in the course of her im- 

 petuous progress over the combs, she communicates 

 her agitation to the workers, who crowd around her, 

 mounting on her back, striking her briskly with their 

 antennas, and evidently sharing in her impatience. 

 A loud confused noise is heard throughout the hive, 

 and hardly any of the workers are observed going 

 abroad to forage ; numbers are whirling about in an 

 unsettled manner in front of the hive ; and the mo- 

 ment is come, to a considerable portion of the family, 

 for bidding adieu to their ancient abode. All at 

 once the noise in the interior ceases, and the whole 

 of the bees about the doors re-enter ; while those re- 

 turning loaded from the fields, instead of hurrying in 

 as usual, hover on the wing, as if in eager expecta- 

 tion. In a second or two, some workers present 

 themselves again at the door, turn round, re-enter, 

 and return instantaneously in additional numbers, 

 smartly vibrating their wings, as if sounding the 

 march ; and at this signal the whole swarm rushes 

 to the entrance in an overwhelming crowd, stream- 

 ing forth with astonishing rapidity, and filling the 

 air in an instant, like a dark cloud overhanging their 



