132 MODERN BEEHIVES. [Ch. hi. 



freely at any particular " volume." An entrance-way for 

 the bees is hollowed out of the floor-board as in other 

 hives. There is a glass window in each end of the hive, 

 which is provided with a shutter. 



There is, however, one serious objection to Huber's 

 hive, which, 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. 



The character of Huber and the circumstances under 

 which he pursued his observations are so remarkable 

 that we need scarcely apologise for stating a few parti- 

 culars 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 observati6n was overcome by the remarkable 

 fidelity with which Burnens, his assistant, watched the 

 bees and reported their movements to Huber. Madame 

 Huber also, who, 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 life. Huber, fortunately for science, was 

 in a position to devote both means and leisure to these 

 observations; and Burnens, though only a peasant, was a 



