158 



MODERN BEEHIVES. 



[Ch. in. 



The outside shutters on each side are composed of 

 Venetian blinds, admitting daylight, but obscuring the 



Pi'lliiF:.--: 



rays of the sun. There are two iron wheels, the one 

 fixed to the bottom of the hive, the other to a stout board 

 running along its entire length ; on these two wheels the 

 whole structure turns. In the centre of the floor-board 

 there is an opening, with a passage-way running under- 

 neath, so that the bees' entrance is in no way affected by 

 the position of the hive, which revolves to suit the con- 

 venience of visitors inspecting it. Should the queen, 

 with her attendants, not be visible on one side, the other 

 side of the comb can be brought into full view, and 

 examined with the same facility as a picture, or as articles 

 are inspected in a shop window. Thus the sovereign 

 mother, the drones with their aimless movements, and 



