The Life of the Bee 



in some corner, where they lie, all huddled 

 together, surrounded by an inexorable 

 guard, until they perish of want. Many 

 will reach the door, and escape into space 

 dragging their adversaries with them ; 

 but, towards evening, impelled by hunger 

 and cold, they return in crowds to the 

 entrance of the hive to beg for shelter. 

 But there they encounter another piti- 

 less guard. The next morning, before 

 setting forth on their journey, the work- 

 ers will clear the threshold, strewn with 

 the corpses of the useless giants ; and 

 all recollection of the idle race disappear 

 till the following spring. 



[96] 



In very many colonies of the apiary 

 this massacre will often take place on the 

 same day. The richest, best-governed 

 hive will give the signal ; to be fol- 

 lowed, some days after, by the little 



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