"True benevolence extends itself through the whole compass of existence, and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation. Little minds may be apt to consider a compassion of this inferior kind, as an instance of weakness, but I consider it as affording undoubted evidence of a noble nature."--_Melmoth._ CHAPTER XV. SYMPTOMS WHICH PRECEDE SWARMING. "See where with hurry'd step, th' impassion'd throng Pace o'er the hive, and seem with plaintive song T' invite their loitering queen; now range the floor, And hang in cluster'd columns from the door; Or now in restless rings around they fly, Nor spoil they sip, nor load the hollow'd thigh: E'en the dull drone his wonted ease gives o'er. Flaps the unwieldy wing, and longs to soar." +Evans.+ Notwithstanding what I have said in the last chapter on the subject of clustering, it is too important a circumstance to be omitted in the following enumeration of the signs of swarming. 1. Clustering or hanging out, if taken singly, may be regarded as a fallacious symptom, but when conjoined with other indications, it may be considered as a sign of swarming, particularly if accompanied by the signs enumerated at the commencement of my motto. 2. The drones being visible in greater numbers than usual, and in great commotion, especially in the afternoon. 3. The inactivity of the working bees, who neither gather honey nor farina, though the morning be sunny and the weather altogether inviting. Reaumur regarded this as the most indubitable sign of preparation for swarming.