128 



PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



with their antennae, and then pass their proboscis over all 

 parts of her body ; place is next given to others, who salute 

 her in the same manner ; all then beat their wings at the 

 same time, and range themselves in a circle round their new 

 sovereign. A kind of agitation is now communicated to the 

 whole surface of the comb, which brings all the bees upon it 

 to see what is going forward. This may be called the first 

 shout of the applauding multitude to welcome the arrival of 

 their new sovereign. The circle of courtiers increases ; they 

 vibrate their wings and bodies, but without tumult, as if their 

 sensations were very agreeable. When she begins to move, 

 the circle opens to let her pass, and all follow her steps. She 

 is received with similar demonstrations of loyalty in the other 

 parts of the hive, is soon acknowledged queen by all, and be- 

 gins to lay eggs. Reaumur put some bees into a hive without 

 their queen, and then introduced to them one that he had 

 taken when half perished with cold, and kept in a box, in 

 which she had covered herself with powder. The bees im- 

 mediately owned her for their queen, employed themselves 

 very anxiously in cleaning her and warming her, sometimes 

 turning her upon her back for this purpose, and then began to 

 construct cells in their new habitation. 1 Even when the bees 

 have got young brood, have built or are building royal cells, 

 and are engaged in feeding these hopes of their hive, knowing 

 that their great aim is already accomplished, they cease all 

 these employments when this intruder comes amongst them. 



With regard to the ordinary attention and homage that 

 they pay to their sovereigns, the bees do more than respect 

 their queen, says Reaumur ; they are constantly on the watch 

 to make themselves useful to her, and to render her every 

 kind office ; they are for ever offering her honey ; they lick 

 her with their proboscis, and wherever she goes she has 

 a court to attend upon her. 2 It may here be observed, 

 that the stimulant which excites the bees to these acts of 

 homage is the pregnant state of their queen, and her fitness 

 to maintain the population of the hive ; all they do being 

 with a view to the public good : for while she remains a 



i Reaum. v. 262. 



2 Ibid. v. Pref. xv. 



