THF. BEE IN StTMMEE. 



9 



18. The Swarm — A Deliberated Sacrifice Meanwhile restless- 

 ness seizes the old queen, who sees that the fulfilment of her 

 maternal duty has been applied to raise, within the kingdom 



which she alone has 

 peopled, rival claim- 

 ants to her throne. 

 She is not satisfied. 

 She hurries from 

 comb to comb, vainly 

 endeavouring to as- 

 sert an authority long 

 subordinated to the 

 requirements of her 

 children. She even 

 threatens the young 

 princesses in their 

 waxen nurseries. Wild 

 excitement results 

 among the little citi- 

 zens. The palace of 

 peace and home of 

 steady labour is 

 thrown into confu- 

 sion. It is all so 

 novel, this mad dis- 

 order and revolution 

 of which no drone or 

 worker has had ex- 

 perience previously. 

 It is the perplexing 

 acceleration of delibe- 

 rated sacrifice, com- 

 ing suddenly, rush- 

 ing headlong, like 

 the bursting of a 

 Fig. 3. mountain torrent that 



QUEEN CELLS. Cannot by any means 



(Photo by W. z. Hutchinson). ^g Stayed. The vats 



of honey are opened, and multitudes are feeding eagerly; for 

 suspected danger always leads the bees to lay in store for 

 quick emergencies (167). The temperature has risen to a point 

 insufferable The queen and all her people realize that the 

 moment has arrived for the inevitable, reckless sacrifice which, 

 in its ready willingness to give up all for the future of the 

 race, invests the swarm with that uncommon glory which, 

 during long ages, has been recognised and admired by 

 astonished man. 



