32 
FORMATION OF SWARMS. 
After the old queen has conducted 
the first swarm from the hive, the 
remaining bees take particular care 
of the royal cells, and prevent the 
young queens, successively hatched, 
from leaving them, except at an in¬ 
terval of several days between the 
departure of each. 
It is supposed that the necessity 
of a fine day for swarming, is one rea¬ 
son that has induced Nature to admit 
of bees protracting the captivity of 
their young queens in the royal ceils. 
Their confinement is always longet 
when bad weather lasts several days 
together. If the young females were 
at liberty to leave their cells during 
