It is worthy of note that the position of the queen cells is alwaysvertical, while that of the drones and workers is horizontal; majestystands on its head, which fact may be a part of the secret.

The notion has always very generally prevailed that the queen of thebees is an absolute ruler, and issues her royal orders to willingsubjects. Hence Napoleon the First sprinkled the symbolic bees overthe imperial mantle that bore the arms of his dynasty; and in thecountry of the Pharaohs the bee was used as the emblem of a peoplesweetly submissive to the orders of its king. But the fact is, a swarmof bees is an absolute democracy, and kings and despots can find nowarrant in their example. The power and authority are entirely vestedin the great mass, the workers. They furnish all the brainsand foresight of the colony, and administer its affairs. Their word islaw, and both king and queen must obey. They regulate the swarming,and give the signal for the swarm to issue from the hive; they selectand make ready the tree in the woods and conduct the queen to it.