DISEASES AND ENEMIES OF BEES. 221 
easily aroused to action. This may account for the cases 
that are cited where the natives winter better than the 
Italians. Another proof that the worrying of swarms 
while in winter quarters is occasioned by these pests, is 
the fact that the bees gradually leave the hive and fall 
upon the cellar bottom ; and when set upon their summer 
stands, these weak swarms will be found throwing these 
parasites from the hive in large numbers. It has been 
demonstrated by the experience of many, in wintering, 
that when the ventilating slide in the bottom board is 
left open, the bees in most cases cluster lower and directly 
over the opening, and are found to keep more quiet. 
This method has been recommended because of the evi- 
dently better results. I had supposed that the advantage 
lay in the fact that they were more certain of their free- 
dom from the opening being so near, and I yet believe 
this to be a condition which favors this result. It occurs 
to me, however, since my acquaintance with these para- 
sites that they were also more easily removed from the 
hive when it was thus arranged. I have examined the 
dust which dropped from the cluster through this open- 
ing, when in winter quarters, and lodged upon the top of 
the hive beneath, and in nearly every case found these in- 
sects. It has been found to conduce to successful wintering 
to place a rim under each hive, raising it a short distance 
from the bottom board. In this case, the insects in the 
dust would be farther from the cluster of bees, and less 
likely to annoy them. It has often been noticed that 
during the spring and summer months, young bees are 
thrown from the cells that have been, through some 
cause, destroyed before maturing. Cases have been re- 
ported where young bees have been so removed in large 
numbers. It seems very reasonable to infer that these 
may have been destroyed by parasites, as I have found 
them in the bodies of such bees. 
They are found in all parts of the hives where the bees 
