100 TREATISE ON THE 
observed going abroad to forage, numbers 
are whirling about in an unsettled manner 
in front of the hive, and the moment 1s come 
to a considerable portion of the family, for 
bidding adieu to their ancient abode. All at 
once the noise in the interior ceases, and the 
whole of the Bees about the doors re-enter, 
while those returning loaded from the fields, 
insted of hurrying in as usual, hover on 
the wing, as ifin eager expectation. Ina 
second or two, some workers present them- 
selves again at the door, turn round, re-en- 
ter, and return instantaneously in additional 
numbers, smartly vibrating their wings, as 
if sounding the march, and at this signal the 
whole swarm rushes to the entrance in an 
overwhelming crowd, streaming forth with - 
astonishing rapidity, and filling the air inan 
instant, like adark cloud overhanging their 
late habitation. There they hover for a mo- 
ment, reeling backwards and fowards, while 
some of the body search in the vicinity for a 
tree’or bush which may serve as a rallying 
point for the emigrants. To this they repair 
