Page:How to Keep Bees.djvu/94

 CHAPTER VI

THE SWARMING OF BEES

WHY BEES SWARM

case of most of the higher animals, including man, the species are spread over the face of the earth through the simple plan of "marrying off" the younger individuals, and allowing them "to set up for themselves." As there is no individualism, no indulging in love or hatred for each other among the perfect socialists, this plan is manifestly not at all adapted to provide for the increase of social insects where the colony acts as an individual. The bee plan is as follows: When a colony gets large enough and strong enough it divides into two. As the Amœba, the simplest of animal organisms, divides the individual in order to multiply its numbers, so the bee-colony as an organism divides and multiplies. It is interesting that the method of increase characteristic of the lowest order of animals should repeat itself among beings so highly organised physically, when the individuals merge into a social unit. This analogy might well give the social philosophers an opportunity for some real thinking. Much discussion has found place in human annals 64