VENTILATION. 131 



such a hive, is often, (more especially in a state of nature,) 

 very small, the interior air cannot be renewed without re- 

 sort to some artificial means. If a lamp is put into a close 

 vessel with only one small orifice, it will soon exhaust all 

 the oxygen, and go out. If another small orifice is made, 

 the same result will follow ; but if by some device a cur- 

 rent of air is drawn out from one, an equal current will 

 force its way into the other, and the lamp will burn until 

 the oil is exhausted. 



It is precisely on this principle, of maintaining a dou- 

 ble current by artificial means, that the bees ventilate 

 their crowded habitations. A body of active ventilators 

 stands inside of the hive, as well as outside, all with their 

 heads turned towards the entrance, and by the rapid fan- 

 ning of their wings, a current of air is blown briskly out of 

 the hive, and an equal current drawn in. This important 

 office is one which requires great physical exertion on the 

 part of those to whom it is entrustecl ; and if their proceed- 

 ings are carefully watched, it will be found that the exhaust- 

 ed ventilators, are, from lime to time, relieved by fresh de- 

 tachments. If the interior of the hive will admit of inspec- 

 tion, in very hot weather, large numbers of these ventilators 

 will be found in regular files, in various parts of the hive, 

 all busily engaged in their laborious employment. If the 

 entrance at any time is contracted, a speedy accession will 

 be made to the numbers, both inside and outside ; and if 

 it is closed entirely, the h^at of the hive will quickly in- 

 crease, the whole colony will commence a rapid vibration 

 of their wings, and in a few moments will drop lifeless 

 from the combs, for want of air. 



It has been proved by careful experiments that pure air 

 is necessary not only for the respiration of the mature bees, 

 but that without it, neither the eggs can be hatched, nor the 



