136 
PROPOLIS. 
to seek for a new one elsewhere. A crowded popu- 
lation may not be the sole cause of this periodical 
emigration of the bees ; but it seems consonant to 
the usual course of nature that it should be the prin- 
cipal cause , and that others which may be alleged 
are but subservient to it. No royal brood is reared, 
unless the population fill the hive almost to over- 
flowing. This takes place sooner or later, according 
to the size of the domicile ; and hence we find that, 
generally speaking, small hives swarm sooner than 
those of larger dimensions. 
The heat in a full hive is excessive — the thermo- 
meteroften risingabovelOOdegrees, — and maydoubt- 
less have its effect in hastening the swarming ; and 
we have oftener than once succeeded in bringing off 
a swarm, when apparently undetermined, by the arti- 
ficial application of heat. But this increased temper- 
ature is the consequence of the overgrown population 
in relation to the size of their dwelling. The un- 
easiness of the Queen is usually stated as one of the 
causes of swarming, arising from the sight of so many 
royal cells, each containing, as a sure instinct teaches 
her, a future rival. However this may hold true in 
after-swarms, it seems at least doubtful whether it 
be applicable to the first. In respect to after-swarms, 
the then Queen, prompted by jealousy, is desirous to 
destroy her rivals ; and being prevented by the bees 
from doing so, she becomes agitated and restless, and 
finally forsakes a hive where she meets with so much 
to annoy her. But in the case of a first swarm, the 
Queen-mother meets with nothing but respect and 
