NATURAL HISTORY. 
ty éther adventurers; and when loaded, is never at a lofs to fiid its 
Way back to the common habitation. After this firft fally, it begins 
to gather th mealy powder, that lies on every flower, which is aitéf= 
Wards converted into wax; and with this, the very firft day, it returns 
_ With two large balls ftuck to its thighs. ; 
When bees firt begin to break their prifons, there are generally 
above an hundred excluded in one day. Thus, in the fpace of a few 
Weeks, the number of the inhabitants in one hive, of moderate fizty 
becomes fo great, that there is no place to contain the new eomers } 
and they. are fearcely excluded from the cell, when they are obligedy 
by the old-bees, to fally forth in queft of new habitations. Jn other 
— the hive begins to’ fwarm, and the mew progeny prepares fof 
exile. 
While there is room enough in the hive, the bees *emain quietly t= 
Sether ; it is neceflity alone that compels the feparation. Sometimesy 
tdeed, the young brood, with gracelefs obftinacy, refufe to departs 
and even venture to refit their progenitors. The young ones are 
known by being browner than the old, with whiter hair; the old ofe® 
' 8re of a lighter colour,: with red hair. The two armies are therefore. 
eafily diftinguifhable, and dreadful battles are often feen to enfuer 
But the vi@ory almoft ever terminates with ftriét, poetical jultice in fae 
Your of the veterans, and the rebellious offspring are driven off, 06 
Without lofs and. mutilation. - ee 
In different countries, the {warms make their appeatatice at diffe= 
rent times of the year, and there are feveral tigns previous to this ifi= 
tended migration.” The night before, an unufual buzzing is heard u- 
the hive; in the’ morning, though the weather be fof and invitiigy 
they feem not to obey the call, being. intent on more important Wiée 
ditations within, All labour is difcontinued in the hive, every bee is 
either employed in forcing, or reluctantly yielding. a fubmiflions at 
length, after fome noife and tumult, a queen bee is chofen to-euard 
-Yather than condu@ the young colony to other habitations, and thett 
they are marfhalled without any apparent condu@or. In lefs chan ® 
-Thinute they leave their native abode, and forming a cloud round theif 
Protearefs, they fet off, without feeming to know the place of thei* 
defination’: The world before them, where to choofe their place of rete VRS 
- Ufual time of &rarming is from ten in the morning to three in the aftef= 
‘oon, when the fun fhines bright, and invites them to feek: their fore 
tunes, They flutter for a while in the air, like flakes of fnow; and 
Ometimes undertake a diftant journey, but more frequently are cofi- 
tented with fome neighbouring’ afylum ; the branch of @ tree»’a chint: 
Rey-top, or fome other expofed fituations It is, indeed, remarkablep 
that all thofe animals, of whatever kind, that have tong been undef 
the protection of man, feem to lofe a part of their natural fagacity, in 
Providing for themfelves.. The rabbit, when domefticated, torgets td’ 
ig holes, the hen to build a nett, and the bee to feek a fhelter, thal 
all proteé it from the inclemencies of the winter. In thofe couns 
ties, where the bees are wild, and unproteéed by man, they are al« 
Ways fure to build their waxen cells in the hollow of atree; but with. 
Us, they feem: improvident in their choice, and the firft green branely 
that ftops their flight, feems to be thought fufficient for their abode 
Tough winter. However, it does Hot appear, that th 
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the quecn chales - 
