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SWARMS. 
day, which could not have been the case had the 
leader been a virgin-queen. The reason for the de- 
parture of the old Queen with the first swarm is to 
be found in the fact, that a plurality of queens can- 
not exist in a hive. Were no swarm to depart, 
therefore, until a young Queen could put herself at 
the head of it, this plurality must exist for a time, 
and the danger arise of a combat between the two 
sovereigns ; and the death of one, at least, and prob- 
ably of the younger and weaker, would be the con- 
sequence. By this means swarming would be pre- 
vented altogether. 
A swarm, especially a first one, never departs but 
in fine weather, and at the warmest time of the day. 
The passing of a cloud over the face of the sun, caus- 
ing a sudden diminution of the light, is sufficient 
to stop the emigration for a time, although all is in 
perfect readiness. The same effect is produced, if, 
at the moment of rushing out, there is a sudden 
change of weather ; a shower of rain, however slight, 
or a gust of wind, will restore quiet instantaneously. 
No sooner, however, does the wind lull, and the sun 
shine out, though only for a second or two, than all 
the symptoms of restlessness and agitation are re- 
newed, and the impatient emigrants rush out in 
myriads. 
If suffered to remain any considerable time on the 
spot where they have alighted in swarming, the bees 
are apt to rise again, and take a new flight. But 
their flight now has a different aspect from what it 
had on first leaving the hive. They do not now hover 
