THE SWARM 



more to be said. That such affection 

 exists is certain, but it is certain also that 

 its memory is exceedingly shon-Iived. 

 Dare to replace in her kingdom a mother 

 whose exile has lasted some days, and 

 her indignant daug-hters will receive her 

 in such a fashion as to compel you hastily 

 to snatch her from the deadly imprison- 

 ment reserved for unknown queens. For 

 the bees have had time to transform a 

 dozen v/orkers' habitations into royal cells, 

 and the future of the race is no long'er 

 in danger. Their an'ection will increase, 

 or dwindle, in the degree that the queen 

 represents the future. Thus v,-e often 

 fmd, when a virgin queen is performing 

 the perilous ceremony known as the 

 " nuptial flight," of vrhich I v.dll speak 



