On the Threshold of the Hive 



v^oid of memory as the happiness with- 

 out alloy. 



[5] 

 In order to follow, as simply as possible, 

 the life of the bees through the year, we 

 will take a hive that awakes in the spring 

 and duly starts on its labours ; and then 

 we shall meet, in their natural order, all 

 the great episodes, viz. : the formation 

 and departure of the swarm, the founda- 

 tion of the new city, the birth, combat 

 and nuptial flight of the young queens, the 

 massacre of the males, and finally, the 

 return of the sleep of winter. With each 

 of these episodes there will go the neces- 

 sary explanations as to the laws, habits, 

 peculiarities and events that produce and 

 accompany it; so that, when arrived at 

 the end of the bee's short year, which 

 extends only from April to the last days 

 of September, we shall have gazed upon 

 33 



