The Life of the Bee 
in some corner, where they lie, all huddled 
together, surrounded by an_ inexorable 
guard, until they perish of want. Many 
will reach the door, and escape into space 
dragging their adversaries with them ; 
but, towards evening, impelled by hunger 
and cold, they return in crowds to the 
entrance of the hive to beg for shelter. 
But there they encounter another piti- 
less guard. The next morning, before 
setting forth on their journey, the work- 
ers will clear the threshold, strewn with 
the corpses of the useless giants; and 
all recollection of the idle race disappear 
till the following spring. 
[96] 
In very many colonies of the apiary 
this massacre will often take place on the 
same day. The richest, best-governed 
hive will give the signal; to be fol- 
lowed, some days after, by the little 
354 
