BEESj BEE- HIVES, AND BEE CULTURE. 51 



though not noticed by him or his careful assistant, has prevented its 

 general use. That is, the difficulty there is in closing it without 

 crushing some of the bees, a catastrophe which, by exasperating 

 their comrades, is certain to interfere with any experiments. There 

 is no such risk in the Bar and Frame Hive, whilst in it every 

 facility possessed by Huber's is retained; so that we strongly 

 recommend scientific apiarians, in preference to Huber's, that they 

 should use some kind of Bar and Frame Hive. We have here 

 introduced a description of Huber's Leaf Hive (and should be glad 

 to exhibit one) for the sake of its historic interest in connection 

 with apiarian science. The invention was invaluable for Huber 

 himself, and it suggested to other apiarians the adoption of the 

 present plan of vertical bars and frames. 



The character of Huber, and the circumstances under which he 

 pursued his observations, are so remarkable, that we need scarcely 

 apologize for stating a few particulars respecting him here. He 

 was born at Geneva in July, 1750, his family being in honourable 

 station and noted for talent. Just as he attained to manhood he 

 lost his sight, and remained blind to the end of his days. This 

 apparently insuperable obstacle in the way of scientific observation, 

 was overcome by the remarkable fidelity with which Burnens, his 

 assistant, watched the bees, and reported their movements to Huber. 

 Madame Huber also who, although betrothed to him before his 

 calamity, had remained constant in her affection, assisted in the 

 investigations with great assiduity during their long and happy 

 wedded Hfe. "We quote the following from " Memoirs of Huber," 

 by Professor de CandoUe : — 



" We have seen the blind shine as poets, and distinguish them- 

 selves as philosophers, musicians, and calculators ; but it was 

 reserved for Huber to give a lustre to his class in the sciences of 

 observation, and on objects so minute that the most clear-sighted 

 observer can scarcely perceive them. The reading of the works of 

 Eeaumur and Bonnet, and the conversation of the latter, directed 

 his curiosity to the history of bees. His habitual residence in the 

 country inspired him with the desire, first of verifying some 

 facts, then of filling some blanks in their history ; but this kind of 

 observation required not only the use of such an instrument as the 

 optician must furnish, but an intelligent assistant, who alone could 

 adjust it to its use. He had then a servant named Francis Burnens, 



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