The Life of the Bee 
thus form a sort of living prison wherein 
the captive is unable to move; and in 
this prison they will keep her for twenty- 
four hours, if need be, till the victim die 
of suffocation or hunger. 
But if, at this moment, the legitimate 
queen draw near, and, scenting a rival, 
appear disposed to attack her, the living 
walls of the prison will at once fly open; 
and the bees, forming a circle around the 
two enemies, will eagerly watch the strange 
duel that will ensue, though remaining 
strictly impartial, and taking no share in 
it. For it is written that against a mother 
the sting may be drawn by a mother 
alone; only she who bears in her flanks 
close on two million lives appears to 
possess the right with one blow to inflict 
close on two million deaths. 
But if the combat last too long, without 
any result, if the circular weapons glide 
harmlessly over the heavy cuirasses, if one 
102 
