The Young Queens 
cases they suffer from what is known as 
‘swarming fever,” a condition wherein life, 
as in ordinary fever, reacting too ardently 
on itself, passes its aim, completes the circle, 
and discovers only death. 
71 
Of all the decisions before them there is 
none that would seem imperative; nor can 
man, if content to play the part of spectator 
only, foretell in the slightest degree which 
one the bees will adopt. But that the most 
careful deliberation governs their choice is 
proved by the fact that we are able to 
influence, or even to determine it, by, for 
instance, reducing or enlarging the space we 
accord them; or by removing combs full of 
honey, and setting up in their stead empty 
combs that are well supplied with workers’ 
cells. 
The question they have to consider is not 
whether a second or third swarm shall be 
immediately launched—for in arriving at 
such a decision they would merely be blindly 
and thoughtlessly yielding to the caprice or 
203 
