THE SWARM 



the tree that is nearest the hive; for the 

 queen, besides being weighed down by 

 her eggs, has dwelt in constant darkness 

 ever since her marriage-flight, or the 

 swarm of the previous year; and is natu- 

 rally reluctant to venture far into space, 

 having indeed almost forgotten the use of 

 her wings. 



The bee-keeper waits till the mass be 

 completely gathered together; then having 

 covered his head with a large straw hat 

 (for the most inoffensive bee will conceive 

 itself caught in a trap if entangled in 

 hair, and will infallibly use its sting), but, 

 if he be experienced, wearing neither 

 mask nor veil; having taken the precau- 

 tion only of plunging his arms in cold 

 water up to the elbow, he proceeds to 



[107] 



