CHAPTER -X. 



NATURAL SWAKMING, AND HIVING OF SWARMS. 



The swarming of bees has been justly regarded as one 

 of the most beautiful sights in the whole compass of rural 

 economy. Although, for reasons which will hereafter be 

 assigned, I prefer to rely chiefly on artificial means for the 

 multiplication of colonies, I should be very unwilling to pass 

 a season without participating, to some extent, in the pleas- 

 ing excitement of natural swarming. 



" Up mounts the chief, and to the cheated eye 

 Ten thousand shuttles dart along the sky ; 

 As swift through aether rise the rushing swarms. 

 Gay dancing to the beam their sun-bright forms ; 

 And each thin form, still ling'ring on the sight, 

 Trails, as it shoots, a line of silver light. 

 High pois'd on buoyant wing, the thoughtful queen, 

 In gaze attentive, views the varied scene. 

 And soon her far-fetch'd ken discerns below 

 The light laburnum lift her polish'd brow, 

 "Wave her green leafy ringlets o'er the glade, 

 And seem to beckon to her friendly shade. 

 Swift as the falcon's sweep, the monarch bends 

 Her flight abrupt ; the following host descends. 

 Round the fine twig, like cluster'd grapes, they close 

 In thickening wreaths, and court a short repose." 



Evans, 



The swarming of bees, by making provision for the con- 

 stant multiplication of colonies, was undoubtedly intended 

 both to guard the insect against the possibility of extinction, 

 and to make its labors in the highest degree useful to man. 

 The laws of reproduction in those insects which do not live 



