Page:Jardine Naturalist's library Bees.djvu/223

Rh the rains were unceasing, though never very heavy, we sent four hives to the heath; but brought them back again considerably diminished in weight. Along with the deprived hives—that is, those from which a portion of their stores have been taken,—there should be sent to enjoy the benefit of change of pasture, such swarms of the season as had emigrated late, or had been unusually small; and to give them a better chance of success, two of this description should be united before their removal. Their station on the new pasture-ground should not be less than three miles distant from the apiary, otherwise they may find their way back to their original resting-place, and perish. The flight of the Bee, according to Huber, extends generally about half-a-league. If that Naturalist meant a German league, as he probably did, according to this calculation, a bee will fly at least two English miles in quest of food. The proof of the correctness of this opinion is given in a note by M. Lombard and in an unpublished letter of Huber, of date April 1810, which is quoted by M. Lombard in his Treatise. "At the time of the revolution, M. Huber lived at Cour, near to Lausanne. He had the lake on one side of his domicile, and vineyards on the other. He soon perceived the disadvantage of his position (as regarded his bees.) When the orchards at Cour had shed their blossoms, and the few meadows in the neighbourhood had been mown, he found the stores of his stock-hives diminishing daily; the labours of the bees ceased so entirely, that even in summer they