134 



PERFECT SOCIETIES OF INSECTS. 



as I before observed, is led by the reigning queen, and takes 

 place when she is so much reduced in size, in consequence of 

 the number of eggs she has laid (for previously to oviposition 

 her gravid body is so heavy that she can scarcely drag it along), 

 as to enable her to fly with ease. The most indubitable sign 

 that a hive is preparing to swarm, — so says Reaumur, — is 

 when on a sunny morning, the weather being favourable to 

 their labours, few bees go out of a hive, from which on the 

 preceding day they had issued in great numbers, and little 

 pollen is collected. This circumstance, he observes, must be 

 very embarrassing to one who attempts to explain all their 

 proceedings upon principles purely mechanical. Does it not 

 prove, he asks, that all the inhabitants of a hive, or almost all, 

 are aware of a project that will not be put in execution before 

 noon, or some hours later ? For why should bees, who worked 

 the day before with so much activity, cease their labours in a 

 habitation which they are to quit at noon, were they not 

 aware that they should soon abandon it ? 1 The appearance 

 of the males, and the clustering of the population at the 

 mouth of the hive (though this last is less to be relied upon, 

 being often occasioned by extreme heat), are also indications 

 of the approach of this event. A good deal depends, however, 

 on the warmth of the atmosphere and the state of the weather 

 either to accelerate or retard it. Another sign is a general 

 hum in the evening, which is continued even during the night, 

 — all seems to be in a bustle, the greatest restlessness agitates 

 the bees. Sometimes, to hear this hum, the ear must be 

 placed close to the hive, when clear and sharp sounds may be 

 distinguished, which appear to be produced by the vibration 

 of the wings of a single bee. This hum by some has been 

 gravely construed into an harangue of the queen to animate 

 her subjects to the great undertaking which she now meditates 

 — the founding of a new empire. There sometimes seem to 

 happen suddenly amongst them, says Reaumur, events which 

 put all the bees in motion, for which no account can be given. 

 If you observe a hive with attention, you may often remain a 

 long time and hear only a slight murmur ; and then, all in a 



i Reaum. v. 611. 



