238 



The Bee-Keeper's Manual. By Henry Taylor. Fifth Edition, with One Hun- 

 dred Engravings. London : Groombridge and Sons. 1855. p.p. 216 



This very valuable little volume has now reached its fifth edition ; and the 

 present is not merely a reprint of the fourth edition, which we reviewed in 

 vol. i. p. 47, but contains considerable additions of new matter, thus render- 

 ing it still more a handbook for the Apiarian. The humane and rational 

 plan of not Idlling the Bees to obtain their honey, is fully illustrated and 

 proved to be by far the most luci'ative system, and the various contrivances 

 to facilitate the carrying out this plan practically ai-e most fully detailed, so 

 than no one need have any difficulty in adopting it in their own Apiary. 

 The whole work is eminently practical, and bears the stamp of many years 

 of patient and well directed investigation into the habits of the little crea- 

 tures treated of in it. The bar-hive system, by which the Bees are induced 

 to fix their combs to bars easily removed, if wished, is admirably illustrated; 

 and one hive, called the bar-glass-hive, is well worthy the attention of Natur- 

 alists, as by it the daily operations of the Bees may be readily observed. 

 Of this he says — 



" Before we leave the subject of bar-hives, it may be interesting to give a description 

 of one recently constructed by me for experimental purposes, as referred to in the note 

 at page 50, and here illustrated. It may not improperly be termed a light or observatory 

 hive, in distinction from the usual mode of rendering the dwelling as dark as possible. 

 The hive itself resembles the bar-boxes just described, as to its interior dimensions, 

 bars, crown-board, &c. ; but differs, inasmuch as it is made simply as a frame, filled in 

 on the four sides with thick glass, flush with the inside surface of the wood. For the 

 purpose of preventing the Bees from attachmg the comb to the glass, thin upright 

 strips of wood, rather more than half an inch wide, are tacked under the centre of each 

 bar at both ends, extending from top to bottom inside the hive. Opportimity has not 

 yet been ofiered for satisfactorily testing this hive ; under any circumstances, however, 

 whether the Bees are exposed to the full glare of light, or only uncovered occasion- 

 ally, and worked as a common hive, it ofiers facilities for interesting and instructive 

 observation ; but guides or waxed bars must be used to ensure the regularity of the 

 combs, and prevent an obstruction to the sight. The hive ought to be placed in a 

 house, and, in winter, should be carefully covered, an outer case or box going over all." 



Mr. Taylor deserves a substantial vote of thanks from both Bees and Bee- 

 Keepers, for his consistent and practical advocacy of their united interests. 



Labels for British Star-Fishes ; on a sheet. By post, 3d. By George Dixon. 

 - Ayton : near Stokesley, Yorkshire. 



In a recent number, we called attention to the various valuable and useful 

 catalogues of subjects of British Natural History brought out by Mr. Dixon 

 (see page 163) ; we now notice his Labels for Biitish Stai*-fishes : They are 

 printed on one sheet, in bold, legible type, in every way suitable for label* 



