NOTES ON OBSEEVATORY HIVES 



69 



soon as possible. If the bees be subdued slightly by smoke before 

 the operation, no danger from stings need be apprehended. The 

 bees should for the first few days be fed with syrup,* and then 



allowed to shift for themselves. Care should 

 be taken that the bees have easy access to 

 the open air. When not under observation, 

 they should be kept covered up, as bees, 

 dislike working in the light, and will almost 

 certainly build a waxen screen against the 

 glass to hide the combs. When the bees 

 are in full swing, the great variety of their 

 movements and labours will form an almost 

 irresistible attraction. There need be no 

 fear, moreover, of the bees swarming in 

 the summer, unless the hive be very small. 

 As winter approaches, the bees should be 

 united to a weak colony in an ordinary 

 hive.t If left in the observatory hive, they 

 shouldbe given syrup or candy, and be packed 

 away so as to keep at a uniform temperature 



if possible, but the probabilities are that they will die, however much 

 care be taken, there being not sufficient numbers for wintering 

 properly. 



The actual way in which bees bring about the fertilisation of flowers 

 can only really be learnt by direct observation, in the garden or fields. 

 The wonderful mechanism which many plants have to ensure the 

 carrying away some of the pollen by a visiting insect, makes it clear 

 how they depend entirely on insects for cross-fertilisation. 



It is noteworthy that no traces of flowering plants are found 



FIGURE 189. The pupa of 

 a Drone in its cell. 



See Appendix. 



t See " Beekeeper's Guide Book." 



