NATURAL INCREASE. 
l6 
irresistible, that the sound of the queen’s flight (dis- 
tinct to trained human ears) led them off? We need 
no argument to prove that bees hear, for we have 
already studied the structure of the auditory apparatus 
(page 107, Vol. L). 
After the issue of the first contingent, queen-cells 
still remain, which now and again are permitted to 
hatch in turn — a mania for colonisation seeming to 
get possession of the bees ; so that a succession of 
after-swarms comes off during several days, extending, 
in rare instances, to the utmost limit of the eighteenth, 
or even twentieth, after the departure of the old 
queen. These are generally so weak in numbers 
themselves, while they so depopulate the stock, that 
neither they nor it are of much service — at least, for 
the current season. Thirteen years since, I had four 
after-swarms in five days from one hive, which after- 
wards filled a fine super, while all of the casts, with 
no additions of brood or combs from established 
stocks, became strong colonies ; but this was quite 
exceptional, and, after all, was secured by the kind 
of attention which bees do not always get. 
The exodus of the first after-swarm is generally 
followed by the destruction of the queen-cells. Some- 
times, fights between hatched queens occur; and these 
are serious affairs. The amazons having once fairly 
met and grappled together, one at least must die. But 
the over-circumstantial accounts of “royal duels” (see 
“ Queen Introduction ”) made by some of the older 
writers are clearly rather imaginations than facts. 
One, e.g., amusingly describes how “ they glare at 
each other, like two fencers intent on securing first 
Vol. II. M 
