NUTT'S COLLATERAL HIVE. S9 



After having confined the bees in the glass for a short 

 time, you must see whether they manifest symptoms of 

 uneasiness, because, if they do not, it may be concluded 

 that the queen is among them. In such a case, replace 

 the glass, and recommence the operation on a future 

 day. It is not often that her majesty is in the depriving 

 hive or glass ; but this circumstance does sometimes 

 happen, and the removal at such a time must be avoided. 

 When the bees that are prisoners run about in great 

 confusion and restlessness, the operator may conclude 

 that the queen is absent, and that all is right. The 

 glass may be taken away a little distance off, and placed 

 in a flower-pot or other receptacle, where it will be 

 safe when inverted and the tin taken away: the bees 

 will then be glad to make their escape back to their 

 hive. A little tapping at the sides of the glass will 

 render their tarriance uncomfortable, and the glass may 

 then be taken into a darkened room or out-house, with 

 only a small aperture admitting light, which must be 

 open ; the bees, like all insects, make towards the light, 

 and so escape. The bee-master should brush them off 

 with a feather from the comb as they can be reached ; 

 but on no account, if there are many bees, should the 

 glass be left, because the bees that are in the glass will 

 ^gorge themselves to their full, and speedily bring a host 

 of others from the adjacent hives, who, in a very little 

 time, would leave only the empty combs. It is truly 

 marvellous how soon they will carry all the store back 



