152 Of the Natural Swarming of Bees. 
to the bee-mafter, than to behold the young 
emigrants flying in the air and darkening the 
fky with a thoufand varying lines. 
Mean-time, while he is fatisfying his curio- 
fity as tothe manner of their fwarming, he 
fhould obferve, whether they are beginning to 
fettle upon any place, in, or near his own apia- 
ry, 
hive, and deferting it feemingly in the utmoft hurry and precipi- 
tation, in fo much that they can hardly clear the way for each 
other. A ftranger to the nature of thefe wonderful infeds 
would be apt to conclude, that there was fome formidable ene 
my within, whe was murdering them by wholefale, and from 
whom they were flying fox their lives; or elfe that they were 
Weaving a dilagreeable habitation, where there was nothing but 
war and ‘poverty; and emigrating to fome happier fituation, 
where they would enjoy peace and plenty. But the reverfe of 
all this is the truth; for they are going away of their own ac- 
cord, chearfully parting with their deareft friends, and leaving 
a warm habitation, and well-ftored granary, to feek their fortunes 
in a new fituation, where they will have every thing to provide 
for themfelves, and all the varieties and inconftancy of weather 
and climate to ftruggle againit. 
An old cuftom ftill prevails with many, when a {warm of bees 
are rifing, to make a tinkling noife upon a pan, or kettle, as they 
- think that the noife makes them fettle the fooner, and prevents 
them from flying away. But I am of opinion, that when the 
{warm comes naturally off, it is proper that they fhould hear and 
underftand each other, which a noife of this kind will prevent. 
On all fuch oceafions therefore, I ufenone. But, when the bees 
attempt to fly off, all kinds of noife fhouldthen be ufed, to fright- 
en and prevent them from hearing each other, and thus incline 
them to fettle at home. 
