PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



121 



if the bees foresaw the combat that was to ensue between the 

 two rivals, and were impatient for the event ; for they only 

 confined them when they appeared to avoid each other. To 

 witness the homage, respect, and love that they usually 

 manifest to their lawful ruler, the anxiety concerning her 

 which they often exhibit, and the distrust which for a time 

 (as we shall see hereafter) they usually show towards strange 

 ones even when deprived of their own, one would expect 

 that, rather than permit such a perilous combat, they would 

 unite in the defence of their sovereign, and cause the inter- 

 loper to perish under the stroke of their fatal stings. But 

 no ; the contest for empire must be between the rival can- 

 didates; no worker must interfere in any other way than 

 that which I have described ; no contending armies must 

 fight the battles of their sovereigns, for the law of succession 

 seems to be " detur fortiori" But to return to my narrative. 

 The legitimate queen appearing inclined to move towards 

 that part of the comb on which her rival was stationed, the 

 bees immediately began to retire from the space that inter- 

 vened between them, so that there was soon a clear arena for 

 the combat. When they could discern each other, the 

 rightful queen, rushing furiously upon the pretender, seized 

 her with her jaws near the root of the wings, and, after 

 fixing her without power of motion against the comb, with 

 one stroke of her sting despatched her. If ever so many 

 queens are introduced into a hive, all but one will perish, 

 and that one will have won the throne by her own unassisted 

 valour and strength. Sometimes a strange queen attempts 

 of herself to enter a hive : in this case the workers, who are 

 upon the watch, and who examine every thing that presents 

 itself, immediately seize her with their jaAvs by the legs or 

 wings, and hem her in so straitly with a clustered circle of 

 guards, turning their heads on all sides towards her, that it 

 is impossible for her to penetrate within. If they retain her 

 prisoner too long, she dies either from the want of food or 

 air, but never from their stings. 1 



Here you may perhaps feel curious to know, supposing 



i Huber, i. 186. 



