Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-19
WONDERS OF THE BEE HIVE.
From the American Agricultural,
swARMiNu.

bMAhNiNus
Ont Of the most cufious things we have 70 tell
about tho bee, is the process by which families OF
stocks of bees are multiplied. it would be a
problem difficult Of solution for one ignorant OF
the mode. Hero 10 u family consisting OF one
mother. and her offspring; the former living sew
cral years, while tho common bees are short lived.
She cannot bear the presence of rivals in her hivej
her own departure would occasion great commo-
ton; she is utterly unable to 20 out alone and lay
the foundation of a new colony; and ten thousand
bees without her would not be able to produce any
brood or keep their number good. And against
any scheme Of colonizing is the strong instinct
that brings the ~foraging bees directly back to the
old hive, and the persistence with which they
cling to their stores of honey and their BROOD
comb.
But God has given them other instincts which
come into operation at the right moment, ana
make a certain number perfectly willing toI
abandon their home and ie~low.workers, never
more to return. Early in the summer, perhaps
about tho time some of our readers receive TINS
number of the Agricultural, the hives begin 10
be uncomfOrtably full of inmates, and prepara'
tons are made for swarmiug. Royal cells are
constructed, and the occupants are nicely cared
for. This is for the benefit of those to be lett IN
9 the hive, for the mother bee is herself gong 20
emigrate with o large number OF workers ana
droaes, Perhaps scouts ore sent out before hand
! to see if quarters can be secured in the neighDor'
hood for q term of years; such at least is the opin'
ion of eminent naturalists. AT length on O pleas
day, and usually not far from midday, the occu'
j pants of the hive are all found to be in q great
commotion some of them are filling their bags
: with honey, and others are lettering around, like
r people ia the streets of a city when a regiment OF
soldiers is expected to come along. BY and Dy
with a great rush and wfirl they pour out OF the
o hive, az if the house was on fire and fly Oft in a
o cloud, ana settling down in a cluster on the
branch of an apple tree, they speedily come TO
n order and consult as to the next stop. After re-
naming there an hour or two, it not taken care
Of, they will perhaps start off in a bee-lino for
their new home, which may be miles distant;
While clustered on the tree, they may be hanaieI
without injury, as their abundant supply OF 1000
makes them docile. and if then provided with a
home they may accept the offer of hospitality and
lforgoe their own plans. Sometimes instead OF
pausing at oil or lowering around in circles, they
dart away at once in the direction OF their new
home. Some times also in an apiary they are gao
to take possession of an empty hive, if one stands
ready for them, and if it is well stored with comb,
it is oil the better, and more attractive. In some
places, the attempt has been made to arrest the
flight of swarms by the ringing of bells, the beat
ing of tin kettles. and similar noises; but this
probably has no effect upon them. and the custom
may have arisen at first in villages where the
discovery of q swarm in motion was announced
by bells, that the owners might look to it and be
able to identity their own bees. -.
The swarm of bees going out in this way is able
to maintain itself. The workers are provided with
food for several days, and can at once begin the
manufacture Of comb; and as soon rs the new cells
are made the mother-bee is ready to lay eggs IL
them, and prepare for an increase OF population
On the other hand, those that are left behind, have
abundant store OF honey and of comb; the brood
in the cells are maturing every day, and from the
royal cells they may be sure of at least one queen
to take the place of the one that left. Should two
of these come to maturity, however, there mus
either be a duel between them, or one OF then
must 20 off with a second swarm, giving way 4
her rival, and still further reducing the strength
of the stock.
1t is supposed that those who have gone from
the hive in this natural fever, lose entirely the IN
stinct which had before ~impelled them to return t
the old home. and readily adapt themselves t
their new hive, whether it is placed two feet or tw
miles from the old stand.
We leave the subject for the present, with thi
perhaps the greatest of wonders. 1t is to til
bees as if Queen Victoria, with q portion OF ne
subjects and as much treasures as cou1d be caugl
up hastily in their hands, should some day leav
their homes, their gardens, their palaces, the
all, and take ship for Australia, to found there
new kingdom, entirely separate from the old. b.
in these instincts and in all the wonders of Il
hive, the hand of God is seen. We admire the'
things most, as exhibitions of His WORKMANSHIP
and providence and wisdom. His hand is seen
the structure of tho bee His controlling pow,
IN the impulses by which it is led to act. III
cunning work in wax, the economy in the use
material, the treasuring up of stores Tor winter
use and for human comfort, the provision for
increase of numbers, the harmony and industry
the workers, and all the curious things which ha
been observed for centuries, turn our minds fro
iNa,nre to Nature s God. lie only is from age
age: but a his works praise Him, and bless
be His glorious name forever and ever,
All these things are made for man. Dominic
is given to our race over every beast of the fel
and everything that creeDs or flies. And for VIII
y end is man made in the image Of God? and W
has be received authority and power? Is it til
he may be like the brutes that perish. indiffere
to God, forgetful Of his Makers will? or Ii
the horse and mule that have no underestimate
whose mouths must be held with bit and bridl
Nay, but rather that he may everywhere read
revelation God has made in Nature as well as
VS. scripture, and reverently in a meek and child'i
spirit, may learn "to think the thoughts of Goo
and do his pleasure. Herein is human greatne
herein can man be made like his Maker.