SWARMING. 23 



sition of the swarm : old and young alike depart. Some 

 show unmistakeable signs of age by their ragged wings, 

 others their extreme youth by their lighter colour ; how 

 they determine which shall stay and which shall go has 

 not yet been ascertained. In preparation for flight, bees 

 commence filling their honey bags, taking sufficient, it is 

 said, for three days' sustenance. This store is needful, 

 not only for food, but to enable the bees to commence 

 the secretion of wax and the building of combs in their 

 new domicile. 



On the day of emigration, the weather must be fine, 

 warm, and clear, with but little wind stirring ; for the 

 old queen, like a prudent matron, will not venture out 

 unless the day is in every way favourable. Whilst her 

 majesty hesitates, either for the reasons we have men- 

 tioned, or because the internal arrangements are not 

 sufScienriy matured, the bees will often fly about or hang 

 in clusters at the entrance of the hive for two or three 

 days and nights together, all labour meanwhile being 

 suspended. The agitation of the little folk is well de- 

 cribed by Evans : — 



" See where, with hurried step, the impassioned throng 

 Pace o'er the hive, and seem, with plaintive song, 

 T' invite the loitering queen ; now range the floor. 

 And hang in cluster'd columns from the door ; 

 Or now in restless rings around they fly. 

 Nor spoil thy sip, nor load the hollowed thigh j 

 E'en the dull drone his wonted ease gives o'er, 

 Flaps his unwieldy wings, and longs to soar." 



