THE SWARM 



incapable of a kind of personal attachment 

 towards their mother. They will recognise 

 her from among all. Even when she is 

 old, crippled, and wTetched, the sentinels 

 at the door will never allow another queen 

 to enter the hive, though she be young 

 and fruitful. It is true that this is one of 

 the fundamental principles of their polit>', 

 and ne\er relaxed except at times of 

 abundant honey, in favour of some for- 

 eign worker who shall be well laden with 

 food. 



\Mien the queen has become com- 

 pletelN- sterile, the bees will rear a certain 

 number of royal princesses to fill her 

 place- But what becomes of the old 

 sovereign? As to this we have no pre- 

 cise knowledge; but it has happened, at 



[75] 



