Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/187

Rh open is indispensable for experimental operations, such as seizing the Queen, cutting out brood-comb, &c.;, , are shutters 1½ inch in thickness, which render unnecessary the surtout described by Feburier, and are much more convenient. Fig. 5, is the floor-board, which has the entrances—for there are two, one on each side—in the thickness, sloping upwards to the centre of the floor;, , are two iron rods which keep the hive firm on its board, by passing through the two staples in the centre frame. Fig. 6, is the hive mounted on its floor-board, with its shutters closed;, is the roof, sloping on each side, and fastened by a hook and eye at each corner. The whole turns on a pivot,, which is the upper end of a post driven into the ground. Fig. 7, is the hive seen in profile. When the observer is satisfied with inspecting one side of the comb, he may wheel the hive round and examine the other, without changing his station, taking care, before turning it, to open the door nearest to him, and shut the other immediately after. By this mode of proceeding he may contemplate his favourites at his leisure, without disturbing them, and without the slightest danger of being annoyed by them; for it is true that they become so much accustomed to the opening of the shutters that the admission of the light ceases to disturb them. Feburier speaks of the difficulty of introducing the bees into this hive—the difficulty is very trifling. Raise the hive three inches from its board, supporting it below by a lath of wood, placed on edge, two feet long and three inches deep; there will thus