The Swarm 



in our mind certain actions that have evi- 

 dent connection in fact, it is certain that 

 the bees have far less adoration for the 

 queen herself than for the infinite future 

 of the race that she represents. They are 

 not sentimental ; and should one of their 

 number return from work so severely 

 wounded as to be held incapable of 

 further service, they will ruthlessly expel 

 her from the hive. And yet it cannot 

 be said that they are altogether incapable 

 of a kind of personal attachment towards 

 their mother. They will recognise her 

 from among all. Even when she is old, 

 crippled, and wretched, the sentinels at 

 the door will never allow another queen 

 to enter the hive, though she be young 

 and fruitful. It is true that this is one of 

 the fundamental principles of their polity, 

 and never relaxed except at times of 

 abundant honey, in favour of some foreign 

 worker who shall be well laden with food 

 97 



