COMBATS OF QUEENS. 65 
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main, either untill the formation o£ 
a swarm, or a combat among them, 
decides to which the throne shall ap¬ 
pertain : But excepting this case, there 
never can be supernumerary queens. 
CHAP. IV. 
RECEPTION OF A STRANGER QUEEN. 
A STRANGER queen introduced into 
a populous hive is instantly seized by 
the bees on guard—for strong hives 
always preserve a guard at their en¬ 
trance—which lay hold of her legs 
and wings with their teeth, and croud 
so closely around her that she can- 
