46 
On Rational Bee-Keeping, 
CHAPTER VIII. 
ON NATURAL SWARMS. 
Swarm is the name given to a certain number 
of bees who leave the parent hive, or are taken 
out of it to form a new colony. 
The first kind of swarm is called a natural 
swarm. When a natural swarm is about to 
issue from the hive, the hive from which it 
proceeds is filled with bees, who are generally 
in a state of great agitation, owing to the 
internal warmth. A swarm may issue from 
a hive without showing any previous sign 
by which the bee-master can foresee that the 
event is likely to take place. Sometimes the 
swarm issues from a hive round which the bees 
have been hanging in clusters for several days ; 
sometimes from one well filled with bees, but 
before which no bee is to be seen in a state of 
inactivity. 
