THE HONEY-BEE. 175 



' The inside dimensions of each are 12 inches by 9, 

 and 8 deep ; the whole depth of the skep (hive) is 

 therefore 16 inches, and its capacity one solid foot. 

 Each box has 8 wooden spars, 1 inch broad, and f 

 thick, as a foundation to the combs. The length of 

 the upper side of each spar is 9J inches, while the 

 under side is only 9, a half-cheeky as tradesmen say, 

 of ^ inch being made in the under side at each end. 

 But the upper side of the spars must be flush with 

 the upper edge of the boxes ; wherefore a check mu*v 

 be made to receive the spars in the long sides of the 

 boxes also. The intervals between the spars in the 

 upper box are closed with slips of glass, the ends of 

 which rest on the same check as the spars. In the 

 ander box all the intervals are left open, not only that 

 the bees may have a ready passage up and down , but 

 also that the whole interior air may be of the same 

 temperature." 



In Dr. Sevan's " Honey-Bee" we have the de. 

 acription of another storied hive (PI. XI. fig. 2,) whick 

 differs from the last described only in dimensions, 

 and in the number of bars ; the size of the former 

 being 12 inches square, and 9 deep, inside measure; 

 and the bars six in number, and 1J inch broad. 

 We have reason to know, however, that since the pub- 

 lication of his excellent Treatise, Dr. B. has found 

 reason for making some alteration in his hive, and that 

 he now recommends the dimensions to be 12 inches 

 between back and front at the top, but gradually 

 tapering inwards to 10| inches at the bottom, with 

 the view of supporting more firmly the weight of the 



