Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/185

Rh or by iron wire. An entrance is made by cutting, in the middle of the lower quarter of the frame, a notch sloping upwards from the outside. There must be an entrance both before and behind, the doors of which are opened and shut at pleasure. This hive must be covered with a wooden surtout resting on the floor-board. To save the trouble of lifting it off every time we observe the bees, an opening is made in each side with a shutter fitted to it, of the same size with the glass; and as it is necessary that the bees should be kept from getting between the hive and the surtout, there must be a covered passage leading to the outside. This hive presents great facilities for making experiments, and for observing the proceedings of the bees, which being prevented from constructing more than one comb, cannot conceal any part of their operations as in other hives. They soon become accustomed to the removal of the surtout, and are not at all disturbed by our observing them. The Queen may be followed in all her movements, and even in her laying. It is easy to lay hold of her at any time, either in the hive or in the passage. The bees may be fed and retained prisoners; they may be forced to make wax from honey, honey from sugar, &c. In short, all the experiments that have ever been made, may be verified by means of this hive, the result found, and new experiments tried. In spite of its peculiar advantages, however, it has inconveniences which annoy the Naturalist. It is very difficult to introduce a swarm into it, how much soever the operator may