THE S W A R ^\ 



destiny, will, aim, means, causes ; the 

 incomprehensible organisation of the most 

 insignificant act of life. 





Our hive, then, is preparing to swarm ; 

 making read\' for the great immolation to 

 the exacting gods of the race. In obedi- 

 ence to the order of the spirit — an order 

 that to us may well seem incomprehensi- 

 ble, for it is entirely opposed to all our 

 own instincts and feelings —60,000 or 

 70,0(X) bees out of the 80,000 or 90,000 

 that form the whole population will aban- 

 don the maternal city at the prescribed 

 hour. They will not leave at a moment 

 of despair; or desert, with sudden and 

 Vv-ild resolve, a home laid waste by 



[12] 



