352 



THE INSECT WORLD. 



or pouring out of the bees, by joining together at their bases t\yo 

 hives, the one empty, the other containing a swarm. In order to 

 have control over the bees during the operation, you must sHghtly 

 stupefy them with the smoke of a smouldering rag. 



Beehives are of a thousand different shapes, each of which has its 

 particular advantage. They are made of wood and of straw ; and the 



Fig. 327.— Swiss hiTC. 



as 



shapes used in different countries are very various. We give 

 examples. Figs. 325, 326, 328, 329. 



The site, that is, the place where hives stand, is not a matter oi 

 indifference. It is generally supposed that bees ought to be esta- 

 blished in a place fully exposed to the sun, and to the greatest heat 

 of the day. This is a mistake. M. de Frariere, in his work on bees 

 and bee-keeping, recommends the hives to be placed under trees, in 

 such a way that they may be kept in the shade. Fig. 330 shows the 

 way in which M. de Frariere recommends hives to be arranged. 



Dr. Monin, author of an interesting monograph of the bee, pub- 

 lished in 1866, after treating of the different arrangements which 



