THE QUEEN-BEE 397 



this world, not oven queens. They treat the reign- 

 in- sovereign with the greatest respect, without los- 

 ing sight of the future, which demands other queens. 

 They must have them to perpetuate the race; they 

 will have them, whether or no. To this end the 

 n >\ nl pap is served to the larvae in the large cells. 



"Xow, in the spring, when the working-bees and 

 drones are already hatched, a loud rustling is heard 

 in the royal cells. They are the young queens trying 

 to get out of their wax prisons. The nurses and 

 wax-bees are there, standing guard in a dense bat- 

 talion. They keep the young queens in their cells 

 1>\ force; to prevent their getting out, they reinforce 

 the wax inclosures, they mend the broken covers. 

 k It is not time for you to show yourselves/ they seem 

 to say; * there is danger!' And very respectfully 

 they resort to violence. Impatient, the young queens 

 renew their rustling. 



"The queen-mother has heard them. She hastens 

 up in a passion. She stamps with rage on the royal 

 cells, she sends pieces of the wax covers flying and, 

 dragging the pretenders from their cells, she piti- 

 lessly tears them to pieces. Several succumb un- 

 der her blows ; but the people surround her, encircle 

 her closely, and little by little draw her away from 

 the scene of carnage. The future is saved : there are 

 still some queens left. 



"In the meantime wrath is excited and civil war 

 breaks out. Some lean to the old queen, others to 

 tin- young ones. In this conflict of opinions disorder 

 and tumult succeed to p.-arrt'ul activity. The hive is 

 with menacing buzzings, the well filled store- 



