The Massacre of the Males 



tuft, and a fourfold mantle, translucent 

 and rigid. They create a prodigious 

 stir, brush the sentry aside, overturn 

 the cleaners, and collide with the for- 

 agers as these return laden with their 

 humble spoil. They have the busy 

 air, the extravagant, contemptuous gait, 

 of indispensable gods who should be sim- 

 ultaneously venturing towards some des- 

 tiny unknown to the vulgar. One by 

 one they sail off into space, irresistible, 

 glorious, and tranquilly make for the 

 nearest flowers, where they sleep till the 

 afternoon freshness awake them. Then, 

 with the same majestic pomp, and still 

 overflowing with magnificent schemes, 

 they return to the hive, go straight to 

 the cells, plunge their head to the neck 

 in the vats of honey, and fill themselves 

 tight as a drum to repair their exhausted 

 strength ; whereupon, with heavy steps, 

 they go forth to meet the good, dreamless 



349 



