94 TREATISE ON THE 
the young queens. Like other sovereigns, 
they pay the tax of their high estate, in hav- 
ing their inclinations put under restraint for 
the public good. The royal insect is not 
permitted to leave the cell, and, as generally 
happens, to lead off a swarm, unless the 
weather be very favorable. Were she to ob- 
tain her liberty, while, at the same time, 
emigration was prevented by the state of the 
external atmosphere, or other circumstances, 
there would be a plurality of queens in the 
hive, and mortal strife would ensue. 'The 
young queen, therefore, is detained a captive, 
and the workers, piercing a hole in the cover 
of the cell, insert their probosces, and supply 
her with food during her captivity. 
CHAPTER XV. 
ON THE FORMATION OF SWARMS. 
THE swarming season is to the amateur 
in Bee economy, a very interesting period 
