140 . SWARMS. 



day, which could not have been the case had the 

 leader been a virgin-queen. The reason for the de- 

 parture of the old Queen with the first swarm is to 

 be found in the fact, that a plurality of queens can- 

 not exist in a hive. Were no swarm to depart, 

 therefore, until a young Queen could put herself at 

 the head of it, this plurality must exist for a time, 

 and the danger arise of a combat between the two 

 sovereigns ; and the death of one, at least, and prob- 

 ably of the younger and weaker, would be the con- 

 sequence. By this means swarming would be pre- 

 vented altogether. 



A swarm, especially a first one, never departs but 

 in fine weather, and at the warmest time of the day 

 The passing of a cloud over the face of the sun, caus- 

 ing a sudden diminution of the light, is sufficient 

 to stop the emigration for a time, although all is in 

 perfect readiness. The same effect is produced, if, 

 at the moment of rushing out, there is a sudden 

 change of weather ; a shower of rain, however slight, 

 or a gust of wind, will restore quiet instantaneously. 

 No sooner, however, does the wind lull, and the sun 

 shine out, though only for a second or two, than all 

 the symptoms of restlessness and agitation are re- 

 newed, and the impatient emigrants rush out in 

 myriads. 



If suffered to remain any considerable time on the 

 spot where they have alighted in swarming, the bees 

 are apt to rise again, and take a new flight. But 

 their flight now has a different aspect from what it 

 had on first leaving the hive. They do not now hover 



