Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/184

180 of a hive which should admit of only one comb, and that indefatigable apiarian soon succeeded in constructing one, the sides of which, composed of glass, were separated by so small an interval, that only a single comb could be erected between them. In this he found no difficulty in establishing a swarm; the bees pursued their labours with the same assiduity and regularity as in other hives, and, every cell being exposed to view, none of their proceedings could be concealed. Huber has not given any directions as to the dimensions or the mode of constructing this hive, but they have been supplied by Feburier, though he does not name the inventor. "It consists of a frame from 1½ foot to 2 feet in height, and from 1 foot to 1½ foot in breadth. The uprights and cross-bar at the top, are about 2 inches thick, and 1½ inch broad. This breadth being sufficient to admit of the bees constructing a comb, forms almost the whole interior of the hive. To this frame is applied on each side another frame of the same dimensions, except that it need not be above ½ inch in thickness. In each of these outer frames is placed a pane or panes of glass, in such a manner, that the distance between, constituting the width of the hive from back to front, shall be 20 lines, that is 12 for the thickness of the comb, and 4 on each side for the passage of the bees. These dimensions must be correctly observed; at least, the width had better be diminished than augmented, otherwise the bees will work against the glass. The frames are attached to one another by hinges on the one side, and hooks on the other,