CHAPTER VI 

 THE SWARMING OF BEES 



WHY BEES SWARM 



In case of most of the higher animals, including 

 man, the species are spread over the face of the earth 

 through the simple plan of "marrying off" the 

 younger individuals, and allowing them "to set up 

 for themselves." As there is no individualism, no 

 indulging in love or hatred for each other among the 

 perfect socialists, this plan is manifestly not at all 

 adapted to provide for the increase of social insects 

 where the colony acts as an individual. The bee 

 plan is as follows : When a colony gets large enough 

 and strong enough it divides into two. As the 

 Amoeba, the simplest of animal organisms, divides 

 the individual in order to multiply its numbers, so 

 the bee-colony as an organism divides and mul- 

 tiplies. It is interesting that the method of increase 

 characteristic of the lowest order of animals should 

 repeat itself among beings so highly organised 

 physically, when the individuals merge into a social 

 unit. This analogy might well give the social 

 philosophers an opportunity for some real thinking. 



Much discussion has found place in human annals 

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