The Family ^ 1 9 



appears a scene of tumult in the hive. A singular hum- 

 ming is heard ; the bees desert their young and rush over 

 the surface of the combs with delirious impetuosity. Then 

 they discover that their queen is no longer among them. 

 But how do they ascertain it? How do the bees on the 

 surface of one comb discover that the queen is or is not 

 on the next comb? 



" I cannot doubt that the agitation arises from the work- 

 ers having lost their queen, for, on restoring her, tranquil- 

 lity is instantly regained among them ; and, what is very 

 singular, they recognize her — you must interpret this 

 expression strictly. Substitution of another queen is not 

 attended with the same effect, if she is introduced into the 

 hive within the first twelve hours after removal of the reign- 

 ing one. Here the agitation continues, and the bees treat 

 the stranger just as they do when the presence of their 

 own leaves them nothing to desire. They surround, seize, 

 and keep her a very long time captive, in an impenetrable 

 cluster, and she commonly dies either from hunger or 

 privation of air." 



Virgil gives us this pleasant picture of the love of the 

 bees for their queen : — 



" Besides, not Egypt's self, nor great Lydia, nor the 

 nation of the Parthians, nor Median Hydaspes, are so 

 observant of their king. Whilst the king is safe, there is 

 one mind among all : when he is dead, they sever their 

 allegiance ; they themselves tear to pieces the fabric of 

 their honey, and demolish the structure of their combs. 

 He is the guardian of their works : him they admire, and 

 all encircle him with thick humming, and guard him in a 

 numerous body ; often they lift him up on their shoulders, 

 expose their bodies in war, and through wounds seek a 

 glorious death." 



Although the facts do not sustain this romantic descrip- 



