The Life of the Bee 



her dupes ; we ourselves, who have studied 

 her movements these centuries past, and 

 with a brain more perfect than that of the 

 bee, we too are her dupes, and know not 

 even yet whether she be benevolent or 

 indifferent, or only basely cruel. 



There where the queen has alighted the 

 swarm will remain-; and had she descended 

 alone into the hive, the bees would have 

 followed, in long black files, as soon as 

 intelligence had reached them of the ma- 

 ternal retreat. The majority will hasten 

 to her, with utmost eagerness ; but large 

 numbers will pause for an instant on the 

 threshold of the unknown abode, and 

 there will describe the circles of solemn 

 rejoicing with which it is their habit to 

 celebrate happy events. " They are beat- 

 ing to arms," say the French peasants. 

 And then the strange home will at once 

 be accepted, and its remotest corners 

 explored ; its position in the apiary, its 

 126 



