152 PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



reign. A kind of agitation is now communicated to the 

 whole surface of the comb, which brings all the bees 

 upon it to see what is going forward. This may be 

 called the first shout of the applauding multitude to wel- 

 come the arrival of their new sovereign. The circle of 

 courtiers increases, they vibrate their wings and bodies, 

 but without tumult, as if their sensations were very agree- 

 able. When she begins to move, the circle opens to let 

 her pass, and all follow her steps. She is received with 

 similar demonstrations of loyalty in the other parts of 

 the hive, is soon acknowledged queen by all, and be- 

 gins to lay eggs. Reaumur put some bees into a hive 

 without their queen, and then introduced to them one 

 that he had taken when half perished with cold, and 

 kept in a box, in which she had covered herself with 

 powder. The bees immediately owned her for their 

 queen, employed themselves very anxiously in cleaning 

 her and warming her, sometimes turning her upon her 

 back for this purpose and then began to construct 

 cells in their new habitation 3 . Even when the bees 

 have got young brood, have built or are building royal 

 cells, and are engaged in feeding these hopes of their 

 hive, knowing that their great aim is already accom- 

 plished, they cease all these employments when this in- 

 truder comes amongst them. 



With regard to the ordinary attention and homage 

 that they pay to their sovereigns the bees do more than 

 respect their queen, says Reaumur, they are constantly 

 on the watch to make themselves useful to her, and to 

 r.ender her every kind office ; they are for ever offering 



a Reaum. v. 262. 



