198 MANAGEMENT IN SWARMING. 



had covered the- alighting-board like a heavy dew, is 

 rapidly dried up by the great increase of heat. 



A swarm on the wing is a most agreeable spectacle 

 to the Bee-master. It is true his harvest of honey 

 might be more plentiful, were the population to re- 

 main undivided, and be accommodated with additional 

 room, either by means of storifying or collateral 

 hiving ; still, to the lover of nature, the develop- 

 ment of the instincts and habits of this interesting 

 insect, which takes place in the process of swarming, 

 is a source of genuine pleasure. At the same 

 time, it must be owned, this pleasure is not always 

 unmingled with anxiety, for his winged favourites 

 sometimes mount high in the air and fly off, perhaps 

 to a habitation previously chosen, and to which they 

 are guided by their scouts. To prevent this evil, the 

 owner and his assistant must hasten to throw up 

 amongst them handfuls of small gravel or earth, 

 which has generally the effect of bringing them down. 

 If it fail, and they seem determined to travel, the 

 owner must prepare himself to follow ; for the in- 

 sects, when thus disposed to wander, condense their 

 -straggling circles, and dart off with great rapidity, 

 always in a straight line, and generally against the 

 wind. To put a stop to their flight, the common 

 practice is to make all sorts of noises, ringing of bells, 

 beating of pans and other sonorous vessels.* Long 



* Butler thinks that these noises were originally intended 

 to proclaim to the neighbourhood that a swarm had risen, and 

 that they might know whence it came, and to whom it be- 

 longed. 



