VIII 



THE FAMILY 



The Queen 



Each hive has long been known to possess one bee 

 different from the others, and which received special care 

 and attention from them. 



This the ancients called a king. 



Says Pliny : — 



" The kings have always a peculiar form of their own, 

 and are double the size of any of the rest ; their wings are 

 shorter than those of the others, their legs are straight, 

 their walk more upright, and they have a white spot on 

 the forehead, which bears some resemblance to a diadem : 

 they differ, too, very much from the rest of the community, 

 in their bright and shining appearance. 



" The obedience which his subjects manifest in his 

 presence is quite surprising. When he goes forth, the 

 whole swarm attends him, throngs about him, surrounds 

 him, protects him, and will not allow him to be seen. At 

 other times, when the swarm is at work within, the king 

 is seen to visit the works, and appears to be giving his 

 encouragement, being himself the only one that is exempt 

 from work : around him are certain other bees which act 

 as body-guards and lictors, and careful guardians of his 

 anthority. 



" When they are on the wing, every one is anxious to be 

 near him, and takes a pleasure in being seen in the per- 

 formance of its duty. When he is weary, they support him 



8 



