MORE ABOUT SWARMS. ISS 



frequently occurs, at the same time, and there are not 

 sufficient bees for another swarm, nothing remains 

 but one of these two rivals must die. They cannot 

 reign together for any length of time. Which is to 

 live, and which is to die? This important question 

 the worker-bees sometimes decide by encasing, and 

 destroying one, and allowing the other to live. But 

 sometimes the queens themselves fight out the matter 

 to the bitter end. 



A royal fight has been thus described by Hunter : 

 — ' When two queens meet a duel is certain. Like 

 two gladiators, each first takes a good look at her 

 antagonist. Then they rush to the fight. They seize 

 each other by the legs, 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 

 separate, and commence the fight anew." 



' But when two twin-born monarchs burst to day, 

 Claiming with equal rights a sovereign's swaj', 

 Fiercely they rush, unknowing how to yield, 

 Where crowds receding clear the listed field. 

 Mark how with sharp-edg'd tooth they seize the wing, 

 Curl the firm fold, and point the venom'd sting ! 

 Now, as they view the death-fraught danger nigh. 

 With quick recoil, and mutual dread they fly, 

 Now, scorn'd all female fears, each hardened foe 

 Turns to the fight, and dares the coming blow.' 



Evans. 



