Eastern times., 1855-09-27
Wistfllanp.
Peeps into a Beehive.

cant 1t may seem tA some, but is worthy OF
our careful study and investigation. We for
get that the minute insect, or the worm upon
which we tread with loathing and disgust,
was framed and received the breath of life by
the same Infinite Wisdom which created and
animated us. They are governed by laws
which they observe far more scrupulously than
man does the laws which ought to govern
him, even afded as he is by reason, power
they are not supposed to possess. We have
no doubt that all the lower orders, even to the
tniest of them all, enjoy their little life, and
contribute TO carry out the general plan. If
we studied them more, and became more fa-
miiar with their habits, we should lose all re-
pugnance to them, and perhaps find lessons of
value for everyday life in many of their works
and ways. Let us see
On the 18th of July last, we placed in our
dinng-room window an observing beehive,
constructed of glass, so that all the operations
could be plainly and conveniently seen. A
comb about a foot square was placed in it con-
tanning some brood, with plenty of workers and
drones, but ,cithout the queen bee. The hive was
then carefully observed by one of the ladies of
the family, who has given us the following ac-
count of their doings:-
The first business the bees attended to,
was in commencing cells for queen, and
they prosecuted it with energy for two days.
At the end of that time, queen was taken
from another colony and placed with them,
upon which they pulled down the cells they
had made in less than half the time it had re-
quired to construct them, and then began to
piece out and repair the comb, which needed
a corner The queen at once commenced lay
ing, and soon filled the unoccupied cells, when
she was again removed, and the bees once
more began the construction of queen cells.
The unmatched bees now began to come
forth, and in two weeks the family increased
so fast as to make it necessary for them to pre-
pare to emigrate. SO they built six queen
cells, and in about twelve days, the first queen
was hatched. As soon as she was fairly born,
she marched rapidly, and in the most energet-
ic manner, over the comb, and visited the 9TH
er cells in which were the embryo queens,
seeming at times furious to destroy them.-
The workers, however, surrounded her and
prevented such wholesale murder. But for
two days she was intent upon her fell purpose,
and kept in almost continuous motion to effect
- n,, tbo Jaxr tha coonnd
was ready to come out, peeping and making
various noises to attract attention.
A part of the colony then seemed TO con-
clude that it was time TO take the first queen
and go, but by some mistake she remained in
the hive after the swarm had left. The sec
ond queen came out as soon as possible after
the others had gone, and then there were tDo
in the hive ! Several minutes elapsed before
it seemed to be known that she was left, and
the two queens ran about on the comb, which
was now nearly empty, SO that they could be
distinctly seen. But they had not, apparently,
noticed each other, while the workers were in
a state of great uneasiness and commotion,
SGculltlO iUlpdllclt tilC uCStluCtOH vi OhO Vi
them and the mode they took to accomplish it
was of the most deliberate and cold blooded kind.
A circle of bees kept one queen stationary,
while another party dragged the other up 10
her, so that their heads nearly touched, and
then the bees stood back, leaving fair field
for the combatants, in which one was to gain
her laurels, and the other to die! The battle
was fierce and. sanguinary. They grappled
each other, and lilsasexpert wrestlers, strove
to in1ict the fatal bfow, by some sudden or
adroit movement But for some moments
the parties seemed equally matched--no ad-
vantage could be gained on either side The
bees stood looking calmly on the dreadful af-
fray, as though they themselves had been the
heroes of a hundred wars. But the battle,
like all others, had its close; one fell upon
the field, and was Immediately taken by the
workers and carried out of the hive. By this
time, the bees which had left made the discov-
cry that their queen was missing, and although
they had been hived without any trouble, they
came rushing back, but not in season to wit
1
ness the fatal battle, and the fall of their poor
slain queen, who should have gone forth with
them to seek future home.
There was evidently sore disappointment in
this result, for when they realized their loss.
they uttered piteous cries, and for day OF
two refused to be comforted,' wandering
about, apparently without object, and in great
confusion.
The hive was now crowded again almost to
suffocation, and after few days. uneasiness
the bees all left and lighted on an apple tree
near the window, from whence they were
Jared off, and the queen and half pint of the
bees returned to their old quarters, where they
are to-day, August 3Oth doing we'll. A small
colony made in July, was now brought for
ward, and after sprinkling it as well as the
bees from the house, with peppermint water
SO that they might be all of one odor, the two
strange colonies were mixed, and have con-
tinued to go on harmonIously together
| Our operations with bees, and these obser