Voluntary Act of Self-destruction by the Worker Bee. 603 
No. II. 
Kingscourt, 8th August, 1879. 
Dear Dr. Haucutron,—In continuation of my remarks on 
the above, I will now give you an account of what I observed in 
winter. 
I would first say that the following experiments were not 
conducted with a view to discovery on this matter, but were 
undertaken for a practical purpose, namely—* To find out the 
best manner in which to ‘ winter’ bees.” 
I had, however, for a long time previous been at a loss to know 
‘what became of the bees of hives that, although strong in 
numbers in autumn, were found tenantless in spring, and with 
comparatively few dead on the stand underneath.” 
I never saw any “carried out” in winter, or very rarely, indeed. 
Then what became of them ? 
I will tell you now. 
Three winters ago (namely, 1876-1577) I had in September 
thirteen strong stock hives to “ winter.” 
C. Two of them I covered up warmly and with waterproof caps 
and left them on their respective stands. For these two I pro- 
vided “ perforated zinc” slides to cover the doorways (at my will), 
and also zinc ventilators on tops of hives. 
During the previous summer I had procured a dozen empty 
brandy-flask cases 18" x 15” x 7 deep. These I had fitted with a 
glass window at each end, and a loose board to fit on top, with a 
hole cut out in centre, same diameter as internal diameter of 
mouths of hives. They also had zine slides, close under the lids 
at one end. 
D. Now I chose a second pair of the hives, and still leaving 
them on their own stands, placed a box under each, finally 
covering up similarly to the first two. I also had shutters covered 
with baize for the windows, on removing which, and looking in at 
one end of the boxes I could see combs and bees, fully exposed, 
above. 
KE. A fifth hive (and for this I chose the least promising) I left 
on its stand, well protected from rain and sun, but without a 
zine door-slide or warm covering. 
