BEE. 441 



The following fact, connected with this subject, is one of the 

 most curious perhaps in the whole history of this wonderful insect. 

 Whenever the workers perceive that there are two rival queens 

 in the hive, numbers of them crowd around each ; they seem to 

 be perfectly aware of the approaching deadly conflict, and willing 

 to prompt their Amazonian chieftains to the battle ; for as often as 

 the queens shew a disinclination to fight, or seem inclined to re- 

 cede from each other, or to fly off, the bees immediately surround 

 and detain them ; but when either combatant shows a disposition 

 to approach her antagonist, all the bees forming the clusters in- 

 stantly give way, to allow her full liberty for the attack. It seems 

 strange that those bees who in general show so much anxiety 

 about the safety of their queen, should, in particular circum- 

 stances, oppose her preparations to avoid impending danger, 

 should seem to promote the battle, and to excite the fury of the 

 combatants. 



When a queen is removed from a hive, the bees do not imme- 

 diately perceive it; they continue their labours, "watch over 

 their young, and perform all their ordinary occupations. Bu f , in 

 a few hours, agitation ensues; all appears a scene of tumult in 

 the hive. A singular humming 19 heard : the bees desert their 

 young; and rush over the surface of the combs with a delirious 

 impetuosity/' They have now evidently discovered that their 

 sovereign is gone; and the rapidity with which the bad news 

 spreads through the hive, to the opposite side of the combs, is 

 very remarkable. On replacing the queen in the hive, tranquil- 

 lity is almost instantly restored. The bees, it is worthy of notice, 

 recognise the individual person of their own queen. If another 

 be palmed upon them, they seize and surround her, so that she is 

 either suffocated or perishes by hunger; for it is very remarkable, 

 that the workers are never known to attack a queen bee with 

 their stings. If, however, more than eighteen hours have elapsed 

 before the stranger queen be introduced, she has some chance to 

 escape: the bees at first seize and confine her; but less rigidly ; 

 and they soon begin to disperse, and at length leave her to reign 

 over a hive in which she was at first treated as a prisoner. If 

 twenty-four hours have elapsed, the stranger will be well received 

 frpm the first, and at once admitted to the sovereignty of the hive. 



