ITALIAN QUEEN BEE 19 



the shuffling of myriad feet above my head 

 ceased almost instantly and a coarse, rasp- 

 ing voice said "Bosh, Bosh" and then a very 

 pleasant lady's voice recited what I under- 

 stood to be : "Wait a little and we will let 

 you out." Forthwith there was a scraping 

 and gnawing, and vigorous hacking at the 

 capping of my cell, which finally grew so 

 thin that I could plainly discern some 

 figures moving about and over it. At this 

 I used my own mandibles, and, as no ob- 

 jection appeared to be made, I thrust lustily 

 away, and very soon my feelers and nose 

 began to get through, and then another 

 lady's very sweet voice ventured: "Wel- 

 come, indeed ; we are so pleased to have you. 

 How comely you are! Maids, come quick. 

 See what a pretty face she has, and such 

 beautiful hair!" I could not comprehend 



the contrary the cry "Hock, Hock,'' is one of distress or 

 defiance, uttered by a Virgin Queen not yet out of her cell, 

 or when she is liberated from her cell, and sometimes ut- 

 tered when two queens are at liberty in the colony when a 

 battle between them may be impending. This latter sound, 

 "Hock, Hock," is commonly denominated the "Qualking of 

 Queem." 



