138 
PROPOLIS. 
transformed into nymphs ; and as they in fact close 
all the royal cells at different periods, it is evident 
that the inclosed lame are not all of an equal age. 
The laying of drone eggs having terminated, the 
Queen, previously large and unwieldy, becomes slen- 
der in her figure and more able to fly, and begins to 
exhibit signs of agitation. She traverses the hive 
impatiently, abandoning the slow and stately step 
which was her wont, and in the course of her im- 
petuous progress over the combs, she communicates 
her agitation to the workers, who crowd around her, 
mounting on her hack, striking her briskly with their 
antennae, and evidently sharing in her impatience. 
A loud confused noise is heard throughout the hive, 
and hardly any of the workers are observed going 
abroad to forage ; numbers are whirling about in an 
unsettled manner in front of the hive ; and the mo- 
ment is come, to a considerable portion of the family, 
for bidding adieu to their ancient abode. All at 
once the noise in the interior ceases, and the whole 
of the bees about the doors re-enter ; while those re- 
turning loaded from the fields, instead of hurrying in 
as usual, hover on the wing, as if in eager expecta- 
tion. In a second or two, some workers present 
themselves again at the door, turn round, re-enter, 
and return instantaneously in additional numbers, 
smartly vibrating their wings, as if sounding the 
march ; and at this signal the whole swarm rushes 
to the entrance in an overwhelming crowd, stream- 
ing forth with astonishing rapidity, and filling the 
air in an instant, like a dark cloud overhanging their 
