§ XI.] RATIONALE OF SWARMING. 8i 



has left. If not heard it may be concluded that swarm- 

 ing is at an end. The second swarm is not quite so 

 chary of weather as the first ; it was the old lady who 

 exercised so much caution, disliking to leave home 

 except in the best of summer weather. 



In some instances, owing to favourable breeding sea 

 sons and prolific queens, a third swarm issues from the 

 hive (usually after intervals of two or three days), which 

 is termed a " colt ; " and in remarkable instances even 

 a fourth (after another day's interval), which in rustic 

 phrase is designated a "filly.'' Mr. Langstroth says that 

 he once had a fifth, and all five in the course of a fort- 

 night. A swarm from a swarm is called a " maiden " 

 swarm, and, according to bee theory, will again have the 

 old queen for its leader : if such does occur it will pro- 

 bably be at about a month after the hiving. The origijial 

 colony, of one or more years' duration, is known as a 

 " stock." 



When swarming is over for the season any princesse 

 remaining in cells are torn out and destroyed as beforL 

 stated, or else left to the tender mercies of the reigning 

 sovereign. But now and then one of them slips. past her 

 assailants, " and then," says Von Berlepsch, " there ensues 

 a regular hunt, which I have several times observed 

 through the hive window. The queen, well knowing 

 the fate that is in store for her, rushes away, and the bees 

 pursue ; when seized by the feet or the wings she cries 

 out pitiably, and one queen so moved my compassion 



6 



