The Swarm 
25 
But the veritable signal has not yet been 
given. In the hive there is indescribable 
confusion; and a disorder whose meaning 
escapes us. At ordinary times, each bee, 
once returned to her home, appears to 
forget her possession of wings; and will 
pursue her active labours, making scarcely 
a movement, on that particular spot in 
the hive that her special duties assign. But 
to-day they all seem bewitched; they fly in 
dense circles round and round the polished 
walls, like a living jelly stirred by an in- 
visible hand. The temperature within rises 
rapidly; to such a degree, at times, that 
the wax of the buildings will soften, and 
twist out of shape. The queen, who or- 
dinarily will never stir from the centre of 
the comb, now rushes wildly, in breath- 
less excitement, over the surface of the 
vehement crowd that turn and turn on 
themselves. Is she hastening their de- 
parture, or trying to delay it? Does she 
command, or Bap are prekcr Does this 
5 E 
