FIRST EXPORT OF A STOCK OF BEES TO N. S.WALES. 329 



The following interesting account of the export of a 

 stock of BEES to New South Wales, has been commu- 

 nicated by Dr. Wilson, a friend of the publisher. 



" A very strong hive was presented to me by Mr. 

 Gunter, of Earls' Court ; they were embarked at Dept- 

 ford in the ship John, September, 1830. Sailed from 

 Spithead, 14th October, 1830; I arrived at Hobart- 

 Town, Van Dieman's Land, on the 27th January, 1831. 

 During the voyage, the hive was placed on the front 

 of the poop, and protected by a large wire frame, the 

 bees were thus at liberty to take the air without being 

 enabled to escape. Notwithstanding the greatest care, 

 vast numbers of the bees died ; .many of them from 

 injuries received by flying against the wire-work, 

 especially during the hot weather. Shortly after we 

 passed the torrid zone, I thought it advisable to con- 

 fine the bees to their hive ; I therefore placed a piece 

 of perforated sheet-lead against the aperture ; I had it 

 removed once a week, that the dead bees might be 

 separated from the living this was easily done. On 

 arrival at Hobart-Town, although the mortality had 

 been very great, I rejoiced to find that there was still 

 sufficient left to propagate their race. 



" His Excellency Lieutenant-Governor Arthur was 

 pleased to accept them, on the part of Government ; 

 and promised, should they succeed, to distribute the 

 swarm to any of the colonists who might apply for 

 them. The hive was placed in the public garden, 

 under the special care of Mr. Davidson the superin- 

 tendant, and, as his Excellency had commanded that 

 the greatest attention should be bestowed on them, 

 they soon began to thrive and increase. In the space 

 of one year there were seventeen swarms. 



