NATURAL INCREASE. 
25 
must needs accompany the intending emigrants. The 
large, pendulous queen cells (see Fig. 3 and page 
27, Vol. L), rarely less than three or more than 
thirty, are commenced in succession, and when the 
first-started of these are sealed, we may consider 
that the time of departure is at hand ; this period, 
in our latitude, usually running from the middle of 
May to the middle of June. If the bees are over- 
crowded and insufficiently ventilated, they may come off 
soon after their queen cells have been commenced, or 
even — though very rarely, and that in the case of yellow 
bees — before queen cells have been started. Unfavour- 
able weather may delay their exodus, and should this 
be continued until the maturing princesses are within 
a couple of days of leaving their cells, the latter are 
cut down, and swarming for the time prevented. 
On the morning of the day fixed for departure, 
gathering is not wholly suspended, as some have said, 
but it is much relaxed, as is proved by the “hanging- 
out” cluster (a common accompaniment of small hives 
when crowded) not being reduced in size, as the day 
advances, by the departure of its bees to the fields. 
The unusual quietude is quickly changed to tumult. 
Some tell us that a signal within is given, since the 
teeming thousands seem to be seized simultaneously 
with some violent agitation ; but of this, it is best to 
confess, we know nothing, except that the bees about 
to leave the place of their nativity for “ pastures 
new” commence to run about the interior of the hive 
in wild excitement, vibrating the wings, held high 
above their backs, while even the nurses of the brood 
nest appear, for the nonce, utterly disorganised, rush- 
