256 THE APIARY. 



of ventilation. This apiary contains three hives : first, Neigh- 

 bour's Ventilating Box-Hive, containing from 15,600 to 20,000 

 bees, which were hived on the 30th of April of the present year, the 

 day before that of the opening of the Great Exhibition ; Neigh- ' ' 

 hour's Observatory Glass-Hive, containing about the same 

 number as the box-hive ; and a two-storied square box-hive, 

 with sloping roof. From this latter, however, the bees decamped' '' 

 within a week after they had been hived, owing to some disturb- 

 ance, or perhaps to the dislike taken by the bees to their new 

 habitation. The Ventilating Box-Hive is in shape square, having 

 windows and shutters. The entrance is at the back, enabling the 

 bees to go to Kensington Gardens, or other resorts, when they 

 please. Above the wooden box is placed a bell-glass, into which 

 the bees ascend to work through a circular opening in the top of 

 the square box. In the top of the bell-glass is an aperture, through 

 which is inserted a tubular trunk of perforated zinc to take off the 

 moisture from within. The Observatory Hive is of glass, with a 

 superior crystal compartment, an opening being formed between 

 the two ; the bees are at present forming a comb in this upper 

 glass, which affords a very interesting sight, as, generally speak- 

 ing, the bees are in such a cluster when at work, that one can 

 scarcely view their mathematically-formed cells. A straw cover 

 is suspended over the upper compartment by a rope over a pulley, 

 which cover is raised up by the attendant at pleasure. The larger 

 or bottom compartment rests on a wooden floor, which has a 

 circular groove sinking therein to receive the bell-glass. A land- ' 

 ing place projecting, as usual, with sunken way, to enable thtf 

 bees to pass in and out of their habitation, completes this con- 

 trivance. 



In addition to Mr. Neighbour's Crystal Apiary, he also 

 exhibits a Cottager's Straw Hive, Taylor's Amateur Bee- 

 Hive, a Glass Hive, Nutt's Patent Collateral Hive, the Ladies' 

 Observatory Hive, Neighbour's Improved Cottage Hive, and 

 Payne's Cottage Hive. 



