QUEEN CAGES. 131 



must not always be attributed to the cage. There are 

 many more varieties of Queen cages in use, and, of 

 course, there is no reason why any Bee-keeper should 

 not make modifications to suit his own case or fancy ; 

 but the patterns described will illustrate the principal 

 systems in practice. Releasing the Queen in the dark 

 without disturbance has its advantages, but I prefer to 

 watch her majesty's reception by her new subjects, as it 

 is often possible to prevent a regicidal attack, as is 

 described under the head of " Ligurianizing " — there 

 is too much trusting to chance where the door of the 

 prison is simply opened and the prisoner left to her fate ; 

 but where the Bee-keeper is at all timid, of course the 

 cage that may be opened from the outside is preferable. 

 The simple cup and Mr. Carr's cages will occasionally 

 be found useful to cover ripe Queen-cells in order that 

 the destruction of the young unhatched Queens may be 

 prevented. When two Queens meet, a duel is most 

 likely to occur. Like two gladiateurs, each first takes a 

 good look at her antagonist, then rush to the fight ; they 

 seize each other by legs and mouth, making, with curved 

 abdomen, every effort to insert the sting between the 

 rings of the other's body ; they wrestle thus, rolling over 

 and over until one succeeds in giving the deadly stroke. 

 It has been stated that if they get in such a position 

 that both are likely to be stung together, they will sepa- 

 rate and commence the fight anew. 



"With mighty souls in narrow bodies prest 

 They challenge and encounter, breast to breast, 

 So fixed on fame, unknowing how to fly, 

 ' And ultimately bent to win or die ; 



That long the dreadful combat they maintain 



'Till one prevails (for one alone can reign)." — ViRGlL. 



It is not, however, from the personal animosity of the 

 K 2 



