PREFACE. 



This Treatise on the Hive and the Honey-Bee, is re- 

 spectfully submitted by the Author, to the candid con- 

 sideration of those who are interested in the culture of 

 the most useful as well as wonderful Insect, in all the 

 range of Animated Nature. The information which it 

 contains will be found to be greatly in advance of any- 

 thing which has yet been presented to the English Read- 

 er ; and, as far as facilities for practical management 

 are concerned, it is believed to be a very material ad- 

 vance over anything which has hitherto been commu- 

 nicated to the Apiarian Public. 



Deban-ed, by the state of his health, from the more 

 appropriate duties of his Office , and compelled to seek 

 an employment which would call him, as much as possible, 

 into the open air, the Author indulges the hope that the 

 result of his studies and observations, in an important 

 branch of Natural History, will be found of service to 

 the Community as well as to himself. The satisfaction 

 which he has taken in his researches, has been such that 

 he has felt exceedingly desirous of interesting others, in a 

 pursuit which, (without any reference to its pecuniary prof- 



