38 THE HISTORY OF BEES. 
Towards the end of March 1743. walking at even- | 
tide in my chief apiary, I obferved atfome diftance from 
the mouth of one hive, (all the other ftocks being with- 
in doors, and in perfect peace,) a {mall clufter of Bees 
‘jn fome commotion, which raifed my curiofity to fee 
what. might be the occafion, juftly concluded it to be 
fomething uncommon; going directly to the hive, ime _ 
mediately I difcovered, among the croud, a royal corpfe 
carrying forth to burial. .The number of the mourners 
‘attending the funeral did not amount to twenty ; I took 
the dead body from among them, after which, in a little 
fpace, they returned to the reft of their company. 
This being a circumftance I had never met with be- 
fore, I was in doubt for fome time about the event. If 
we conclude aright as to their form of government, viz, 
a perfect monarchy, I apprehend this ftock, having thus 
Joft their Sovereign, muft of neceffity mifcarry. On the 
other hand, obferving no diforder or confufion among 
them, as is ufual on the lofs of the Governour, I was in 
hopes they might be fafe ; this hope daily increafed, as 
by a ftrict and frequent obfervation I found they conti- 
nued quiet and in peace. 
In about a week the weather proving more favourable, 
and inviting them to their moft delightful labours, thefe 
with the other ftocks, began again to work, to collec 
neceflary materials, &¢. by which I faw they were in- 
deed fafe, and my former fears altogether without founs 
dation. 
Here then a queition may arife, whether or no there 
were two Governours all the preceeding winter in the 
; faid 
