174 Of the Artificial Swarming of Bees. 
rejected Queen to exile or execution. But, u- 
pon a more clofe infpection, I obferved the two 
Queens ftruggling together with the utmoft 
fury, and darting the moft deadly blows at each © 
other. Being afraid of lofing both, and thereby 
ruining the united hive, by their mutually kil- 
ling each other, which muft have been the 
cafe, had one of them thruft her fting into the 
other’s body and left it, as fometimes happens, 
though rarely *, among the common. bees in 
fuch conflidts, I feparated them, and kept them 
afunder, though they ftill ran with great fury 
in fearch of each other along the table §. Ithen 
took 
* Tnftances of this do not happen above once, perhaps, in fifty 
times; although the fad is certain, that they fometimes kill 
themfelves, by leaving their ftings in the bodies of their oppon- 
ents. | 
§ The above-mentioned battle, between the two Queen 
Bees, reminded me, at the time, of thofe lines in the old fong 
of Chevy-Chace; where the brave Doucts is reprefented aa 
daying, 
“* But truft me, Piercy, pity it were, 
“* And great offenceto kill _ 
** Any of thefe, our harmlefs men, 
“© For they have done no ill. 
‘* Let you and I, the battle try, 
« And fet our men afide;”’ 
Then c—ft be he, (quoth Earl Pregey,) 
§* By whom it is denied.” 
¢ 
ae Ss ee 
