OF MANAGING BEES. 47 



out of the hive into the air for exercise, or for the purpose 

 of forming the sexual union with the drone; because, on re- 

 turning to the hive, she has been known to enter her. neigh- 

 bor's hive by mistalie, and lose her life before she could 

 make her escape. 



Note. — We think all close observers of bees will accord 

 with this doctrine, when they reflect upon the fact that the 

 queen frequently sallies forth for exercise or for other pur- 

 poses, of which we see repeated indications during the breed- 

 ing season, to wit : the bees assume the appearance of the 

 commencement of swarming ; they fly very thick before the 

 hive, and run in every direction on its outside. In short, it 

 would seem that hostilities had commenced in great earnest 

 betwixt that and some unknown hivej or that they were in a 

 real sport. Now the bees miss their sovereign, when these 

 peculiar feats are seen, and on her return, all is quiet. 



