The Swarm 
unspeakable menace and anger, this be- 
wildering golden hail that streamed upon 
every object near—all these become merely 
a great, inoffensive, peaceful cluster of bees, 
composed of thousands of little motionless 
groups, that patiently wait, as they hang 
from the branch of a tree, for the scouts 
to return who have gone in search of a 
place of shelter. 
38 
This is the first stage of what is known 
as the “‘primary swarm,” at whose head 
the old queen is always to be found. They 
will settle, as a rule, on the shrub or 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 naturally 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 
101 
