At this time both the queens, the one a prisoner
and the other at large, pipe defiance at each other, a shrill, fine,
trumpet-like note that any ear will at once recognize. This challenge,
not being allowed to be accepted by either party, is followed, in a day
or two by the abdication of the reigning queen; she leads out the
swarm, and her successor is liberated by her keepers, who, in her time,
abdicates in favor of the next younger. When the bees have decided
that no more swarms can issue, the reigning queen is allowed to use her
stiletto upon her unhatched sisters. Cases have been known where two
queens issued at the same time, when a mortal combat ensued, encouraged
by the workers, who formed a ring about them, but showed no preference,
and recognized the victor as the lawful sovereign. For these and many
other curious facts we are indebted to the blind Huber.
It is worthy of note that the position of the queen cells is always
vertical, while that of the drones and workers is horizontal; majesty
stands on its head, which fact may be a part of the secret.
Pages:
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134