§vi.] LADIES' OBSERVATORY HIVE. 121 



interesting insects, as the whole of the interior may be 

 exposed to view; it is particularly suitable for a window 

 or an indoor apiary, and will also be found a valuable 

 addition to the greenhouse. Under these circumstances 

 the entrance-way should be covered with a flat piece of 

 glass, and an aperture cut in the sash corresponding with 

 the entrance to the hive ; through the glazed passage the 

 bees may then find egress and ingress without being able 

 to gain access to the apartment. An alighting-board, 

 four inches wide, must be fixed outside on a level with 

 the entrance. 



^\e had a hive of this kind in operation at the Great 

 Exhibitions of 185 1 and 1862, fixed after the manner 

 above described. It answered admirably, and excited 

 much interest and curiosity, though placed there under 

 many disadvantages. 



When a hive of this kind is to be stocked, proceed in 

 the main as with ordinary transfers (Chap. V. § ii.), but 

 place the floor-board and support of the hive in the 

 middle of the sheet or swarming-board, and precipitate 

 the bees as much as possible on to the support ; cover 

 them with the glass, propping it up with bricks or other 

 rests sufficiently high to prevent the bees being squeezed. 

 They will collect under the bars and on the pedestal, and in 

 about one hour's time the whole will have settled quietly, 

 and all the stragglers on the board will have collected 

 together, the swarm hanging pear-shaped from the bar 

 support ; the bricks can now be removed, and the glass put 



