HISTORY OF INSECTS. 31 



the hive at random, and with the most evident 

 want of purpose. 



90. This state of anarchy sometimes continues 

 for two days ; then the bees gather in clusters of 

 a dozen or so, as though engaged in consultation ; 

 shortly after, a resolution appears to have been 

 made ; a few of the workers go to work at the 

 cells in which are deposited the eggs of workers ; 

 three of these cells are quickly broken into one, 

 the edges polished, and the sides smoothed and 

 rounded, a single egg being allowed to remain at 

 the bottom. 



91. When this egg hatches, the maggot is fed 

 with a peculiarly nutritive food, called royal 

 bee-bread, which is never given to any maggots 

 but such as are to produce queens ; work is now 

 resumed over the whole hive, and goes on as 

 briskly as before : on the sixteenth day the 

 workers' egg produces a queen, whose appearance 

 is hailed with every demonstration of delight, 

 and who at once assumes sovereignty over the 

 hive. 



92. When, under ordinary circumstances, a 

 young queen emerges from the chrysalis, the old 

 one frequently leaves the hive, heading the first 

 swarm for the season, and flying to some neigh- 

 bouring resting-place, is observed by the owner, 

 captured, placed under a new hive, and a new 

 colony is immediately commenced. 



93. Before a swarm leaves the hive, sure 



