BEES. 103 



besides "being free from a slight tinge of sulpliurj flavour, 

 wliieh hangs about them for a long time. 



For fumigating, the circular bellows, set in motion by a 

 winch, are much superior to the double bellows, as a con- 

 stant steam of smoke is introduced into the hive, instead of 

 a series of puffs. Mr. PettigTew recommends (probably 

 because they can be more certainly obtained when wanted), 

 cotton rags, tightly rolled up in the form of a candle, and 

 applied in the same way as the fungus. If so, it will be 

 found advisable to steep the rags in a solution of nitre, as 

 otherwise they are very apt to go out before a sufficiency of 

 smoke has issued from them. The solution, however, must 

 be weak also, or it may do mischief instead of good, for ignited 

 nitre is apt to send forth sparks, especially if it is urged on 

 by a draught of air. It may be possible that ether or 

 chloroform may answer better than either fungus or rags, 

 but the experiments do not yet appear to have been suf- 

 ficiently numerous to enable one to speak with confidence. 

 At all events, although chloroform and ether may not super- 

 sede fungus and nitre in stupif^nng* bees, the smoke of puiF- 

 ball threatens to supersede chloroform and ether in then" 

 anaesthetic power as applied to human beings. We are 

 bound to observe that fumigation may not be altogether so 

 harmless as is supposed, and therefore should not be used 

 without necessity. 



When, after carefully applying the fumigating apparatus, 

 as has been described above, the stillness that reigns in the 

 hive indicates that the bees are in a state of insensibility, the 

 hive may then be turned up for any necessary operations. 

 If honey is wanted, choose the side combs, so as not to 

 interfere with the brood in the centre, and be moderate. 

 Beplace the violated hive carefully, and the bees will soon 

 recover from their state of partial intoxication, and set to 

 work to repair the ravages that have been made in their 

 stores. Nor does fumigation injure the working power of 

 the bees. Unlike the effects of alcoholic compounds, which 

 when taken in an over dose, entii-elv prostrate the sufferer 

 for some time, the smoke of the fungus causes a very tran- 

 sient intoxication, which in a few minutes passes away, and 

 the bees appear rather refreshed than otherwise, after their 

 involuntary debauch. 



