234 ARTIFICIAL SWARMING. 



would cause her death, could avail but little for their defence, 

 in case of an attack. She never uses it, except when en- 

 gaged in mortal combat with another queen. As soon as the 

 two rivals meet, they clinch, at once, with every demonstra- 

 tion of the most vindictive hatred. Why then, are not both 

 often destroyed ? and why are not hives, in the swarming 

 season, almost certain to become queenless ? We can never 

 sufficiently admire the provision so simple, and yet so 

 effectual, by which such a calamity is prevented. The queen, 

 in the combat, never stings, unless she has such an ad- 

 vantage, that she can curve her body under that of her rival, 

 so as to inflict a deadly wound, without any risk to herself! 

 The moment that the position of the two combatants is 

 such that neither has the advantage, but both are liable to 

 perish, they not only refuse to sling, but disengage them- 

 selves, and suspend their conflict for a short time ! It it were 

 not for this peculiarity of instinct, such combats would very 

 often end in the death of both the parties, and the race of 

 bees would be in danger of becoming extinct. 



The following very interesting statements are from the pen 

 of Hon. Simon Brown, of Concord, Massachusetts, Lieuten- 

 ant Governor of that Commonwealth in 1855. The observa- 

 tions were made in a parlor observing hive, of my invention, 

 and were published by him, in the New England Farmer, 

 for Oct. 1855, pages 450-1. 



" On the 17th of July last, we placed in our dining-room 

 window, an observing bee-hive, constructed of glass, so that 

 all the operations of the bees could be plainly and conven- 

 iently seen. A comb about a foot square was placed in it, 

 containing some brood, with plenty of workers and drones, 

 but without a queen. The hive was then carefully observed 

 by one of the ladies of the family, who has given us the fol- 

 lowing account of their doings." 



