THE SWARM Wl 



ishing in number, until finally they are all clinging 

 there by their hands, as one might say. The chil- 

 dren stand in wonder before the bunch of bees, whose 

 K (1 down and lustrous wings shine in the sun; but 

 they prudently keep at a distance. 



"Do we not run the risk of being stung by getting 

 so near?" Jules asked. 



"In their present condition bees rarely make use 

 of their sting. If you foolishly went and tormented 

 them, I would not answer for their conduct ; but leave 

 them alone, and you can watch them at your ease, 

 without any fear. They have other cares now than 

 thinking of stinging little curious boys!" 



"And what cares? They look very peaceful; one 

 would say they were all asleep." 



"The grave cares of a people who have no coun- 

 try and seek to create one for themselves." 



"Bees have a country, then?" 



"They have a hive, which amounts to the same 

 thing for them." 



"Then they are looking for a hive to live in?" 



"They are looking for a hive." 



"And where do these homeless bees come 

 from?" 



"They come from the old hive in the garden." 



"They might have stayed there, instead of going 

 out to seek their fortunes." 



"They could not. The population of the hive in- 

 rn-ased, and there was not room enough for all. So 

 the most adventurous, under the guidance of a queen, 

 expatriated themselves to found a colony < N. \\ h, n 

 Tin rniiirrating troop is called a swarm." 



