32 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



indications are given of the intended movement ; 

 the workers leave their various occupations, and 

 collect in groups, especially near the door of the 

 hive, as though in consultation on the important 

 event about to take place. 



94. As the summer advances, many queens are 

 hatched ; but the workers do not allow them 

 instant liberty, as severe battles would take 

 place between them and the reigning queen, 

 in which one would be killed : the workers, there- 

 fore, make a small hole in the ceiling of the 

 royal cell, through which the captive queen thrusts 

 her tongue, and receives food from the workers. 

 In this state of confinement the young queen 

 utters a low querulous note, which has been com- 

 pared to singing. 



95. When the reigning, or a newly created 

 queen, finds one of these captives, she uses every 

 effort to tear open the cell, and destroy her rival : 

 to prevent this, the workers often interpose, 

 pulling her away by the legs and wings ; to t|jis 

 she submits for a short time, when, uttering a 

 peculiar cry, called her voice of sovereignty, slie 

 commands instant attention and obedience, and is 

 at once freed from her assailants. 



96. The cocoon spun by the maggots of the 

 workers and drones completely envelopes the 

 chrysalis ; but that spun by the maggot of 

 the queen appears imperfect, covering only the 

 upper end of the chrysalis : it has been supposed 



