CHAPTER VI. 



XATUKAL SWARillNG. 



-100. Ill the Spring, as soon as the combs of a hive, well 

 fillecl, can no longer accommodate its teeming population, the 

 bees prepare for emigration, or in other words, for depart- 

 ing with their queen, by building a number of royal-cells 

 (104). These cells are begun about the time that the drones 

 make their appearance in the open air; and when the young- 

 queens arrive at maturity, the males are usually very numer- 

 ous (186). 



The swarming of bees is one of the most beautiful sights 

 in the whole compass of rural economj'. Although those 

 who use movable-comb hives x^refer the artificial multiplica- 

 tion of colonies, it bemg more profitable, all Apiarists de- 

 light in the pleasing excitement of natural swarming. 



''Up mounts the chief, and to the cheated eye 

 Ten thousand shuttles dart along the sky; 

 As swift through aether rise the rushing swarms, 

 Gay dancing to the beam their sun-bright forms; 

 And each thin form, still ling 'ring on the sight, 

 Trails, as it shoots, a line of silver light. 

 High pois'd on buoyant wing, the thoughtful queen, 

 In gaze attentive, views the varied scene. 

 And soon her far-fetch 'd ken discerns below 

 The light laburnum lift her polish 'd brow, 

 "Wave her green leafy ringlets o 'er the glade. 

 And seem to beckon to her friendly shade. 

 Swift as the falcon 's sweep, the monarch bands 

 Her tlight abrupt; the following host descends. 

 Round the fine twig, like cluster 'd grapes, they close 

 In thickening wreaths, and court a short repose. ' ' 



— Evans. 



407. Bees sometimes abandon their hives very early in 

 Spring, or even late in Summer or Fall (264). Although 



211 



