I 
made by means of the Mirror-Hive, 137 
instead of an hexagonal shape, and bestowing the niost eager at- 
tention on the worm it contained. During the day, the royal 
abode made considerable progress ; and on the 30th, in the af- 
ternoon, it extended above half an inch in perpendicular length. 
On the 31st, the royal cell advanced rapidly: saw the larva at 
the bottom of it, of a great size, and differing in appearance 
from a common worm, the bees very attentive in feeding her ; 
the reigning queen passing her frequently, but taking no notice 
of what was going on. On this day, 1st of August, I observe 
the royal cell is sealed, of course eight days have elapsed since 
the egg was laid, and in eight days more the young queen 
should come forth. 
Thus Schirach’s famous discovery of bees having the power 
of converting common into royal worms, and which has never 
yet gained general belief^ is completely verified. But here is the 
difficulty: All this time there were two queens in the hive. There 
was no want of a ruler, which has been supposed the only case in 
which the bees have recourse to this expedient. There is not a 
sufficient number of inhabitants in the hive to render emigration 
necessary ; and if there were, it was never known that an artifi- 
cial queen either led off a swarm, or was the cause of another 
doing so. I merely state the fact ; let those who can, account 
for this anomalous proceeding. I shall of course watch the pro- 
gress of this coming stranger, and should not be surprised if the 
reigning queen should make an attempt to destroy her on her 
coming into light. In that case, I may yet have an opportunity 
of witnessing a personal combat between two queens. 
August 8. 8 o’clock a. m. The young queen is hatched ; 
but shortdived has been her enjoyment of liberty, and, from all 
appearances, as short-lived will be heY existence; Like her pre- 
decessor, she is already in durance vilOj” about six inches dis- 
tant from her cradle. A cluster of bees' has hemmed her in as 
closely as possible, and only the lower half of her body is vi- 
sible. She is making painful struggles to ei^tricate her head 
and shoulders, and emitting the same dolorous sound as the 
former* captive. In all probability she will experience the same 
fate. The reigning queen is very busy laying eggs, within 
an inch or two of the prisoner, but goes about her business 
with as much unconcern as if she knew that her subjects would 
of themselves soon rid her of this puny rival 
