72 THE BEE keeper's MANUAL. 



In twelve or fourteen days, they are in possession of a 

 new queen, precisely similar to one reared in the natural 

 way ; while the eggs which were laid at the same time in 

 the adjoining cells, and which have been developed in the 

 usual way, are nearly a week longer in coming to maturity. 



I will give in this connection a description of an interest- 

 ing experiment : 



A large hive which stood at a distance from any other 

 colony, was removed in the morning of a very pleasant day, 

 to a new place, and another hive containing only empty 

 comb, vfas put upon its stand. Thousands of workers 

 which were out in the fields, or which left the old hive after 

 its removal, returned to the familiar spot. Jt was affecting 

 to witness their grief and despair : they flew in restless cir- 

 cles about the place which once contained their happy 

 home, entered and left the new hive continually, expressing, 

 in various ways, their lamentations over their cruel bereave- 

 ment. Towards evening, they ceased to take wing, and 

 roamed in restless platoons, in and out of the hive, and over 

 its surface, acting all the time, as though in search of some 

 lost treasure. I now gave them a piece of brood comb, 

 containing worker eggs and worms, taken from a second 

 swarm which being just established with its young queen, 

 in a new hive, could have no intention of rearing young 

 queens that season ; therefore, it cannot be contended that 

 this piece of comb contained what some are pleased to call 

 "royal eggs." What followed the introduction of this 

 brood comb, took place much quicker than it can be de- 

 scribed. The bees which first touched it, raised a peculiar 

 note, and in a moment, the comb was covered with a dense 

 mass ; their restless motions and mournful noises ceased, 

 and a cheerful hum at once attested their delight ! Despair 

 gave place to hope, as they recognized in this small piece 



