62 LETTERS ON ENTOMOLOGY. 
she makes a hole, and stings the poor female to 
death. The workers, who look on, then enlarge 
the hole, and draw forth the carcass, just emerged 
from the thin covering of the pupa. If her enemy 
is still in that state, she only makes a hole in the 
cell, and the workers drawing it out, it perishes. 
If two queens come forth at the same time, the 
care of Providence to prevent the hive from being 
despoiled of a governor is shown in a remark- 
able instinct, which, when mutual destruction 
appears inevitable, makes them fly each other as 
if panic-struck. They dart forward at first, and 
being opposite have a mutual advantage; but 
when their stings would give reciprocally a mortal 
wound, terror seems to seize them, and they fly 
away. The attack is renewed in the same manner 
till one by stratagem gains an advantage, and 
inflicts the fatal wound. 
When another queen comes into the hive, the 
workers gather round her, but do not attempt 
to injure her. They likewise gather round their 
own queen, who is to fight the intruder. When 
she moves towards the spot, they open, to make 
a clear arena for the combat, and the rightful 
queen rushing on her enemy and seizing her in 
her jaws, near the root of the wings, despatches 
her with one stroke of her sting. Whatever 
