142 The Bee People. 



The only openings to the hives, as we 

 know, are the little holes at the bottom 

 where the bees go in and out. How, then, 

 do they get fresh air? 



You will not be surprised to learn that 

 Miss Apis has solved this problem in a 

 very ingenious manner. 



The only possible way of ventilating a 

 hive through the little holes at the bottom is 

 by fanning or pumping the air in and out. 



The bees fan a current of air through 

 the hive, by standing near the entrance 

 holes and buzzing with their wings. 



The buzzing sound is made by the rapid 

 motion of the wings, and even one bee 

 can cause quite a little breeze. When a 

 number of them stand together just inside, 

 and sometimes also just outside the hive, 

 and fan, they produce currents of air strong 

 enough to keep the crowded hive perfectly 

 ventilated. 



Bees are more careful to have plenty 

 of fresh air than are people. Huber dis- 



