166 PERIODS OF DEPRIVATION. 



become reconciled. But if neither of them be 

 present, and the bees be left to themselves, they 

 will lose their wonted activity, gradually dwindle 

 in number and pine away : or they will transfer 

 their allegiance to another sovereign ; and in that 

 case, convey all the treasured sweets of their own 

 hive, to that of the family they join. The only 

 remedy for such a misfortune is to unite the bees 

 to another stock, in the manner already directed, 

 or to procure a supernumerary queen from an- 

 other family. The latter, however, is an opera- 

 tion which few will have courage to attempt. 



