i86 A MANUAL OF BEE-KEEPING. 



produce the malady. Bees, it is well-known, are cleanly- 

 animals, and they will not, except under the most urgent 

 circumstances, void their excrement within the hive. On 

 the sudden appearance of a warm, sunny day, after 

 perhaps a long series of inclement ones, how eagerly do 

 the Bees fly abroad, and relieve whilst in the air their 

 distended bowels ! Conspicuous places round about their 

 homes may be seen in all directions, spotted with their 

 rejectamenta. When quietly clustering during the winter 

 months Bees require to relieve themselves but seldom ; 

 but if they are by unnatural disturbance roused into a 

 state of excitement, with their accustomed impetuosity 

 they distend their honey-bags by rifling their stores, and 

 if unfavourable weather succeed, and they cannot fly out, 

 dysentery is very likely engendered. The same effect 

 may be produced by a cold damp hive, whether caused 

 by atmospheric moisture from without, or by the im- 

 prudent stowage of a large quantity of watery food, 

 perhaps given to them in mistaken kindness by their 

 would-be benefactors. If a hive be discovered in 

 this unfortunate condition, with still living inmates, the 

 remedy is to remove all dead, give dry floor-board, and, 

 if a frame hive, transfer all Bees and combs to a clean, 

 dry hive. Should there be a large quantity of unsealed 

 food it had better be removed by the extractor or other- 

 wise, and the Bees, if necessary, fed with small quantities 

 of honey or barley sugar ; then, if the population be not 

 too much reduced, we may hope to save the remainder. 



Deaths from chilled brood and starvation cannot be 

 attributed to disease, but rather accident; and I need 

 scarcely say if mortality should be found to occur from 

 either of these causes, the dead should be immediately 

 removed lest disease should be engendered. 



Enemies.— In England the enemies of Bees are but 



