The Young Queens 



account of the weather unexpectedly be- 

 coming less favourable, or for some other 

 reason we cannot divine, they will suddenly 

 change their mind, renounce the cast that 

 they had decreed, and destroy the royal 

 progeny they had so carefully preserved. 

 But at present we will suppose that they 

 have determined to dispense with a second 

 swarm, and that they accept the risks 

 of the nuptial flight. Our young queen 

 hastens towards the large cradles, urged 

 on by her great desire, and the guard 

 make way before her. Listening only to 

 her furious jealousy, she will fling herself 

 on to the first cell she comes across, 

 madly strip ofl^ the wax with her teeth 

 and claws, tear away the cocoon that car- 

 pets the cell, and divest the sleeping 

 princess of every covering. If her rival 

 should be already recognisable, the queen 

 will turn so that her sting may enter the 

 capsule, and will frantically stab it with 



253 



