§ XVIII.] INDOOR UNICOMB HIVE. i6j 



gress, without being able to gain access to the apart- 

 ment, as described under the "Ladies' Observatory Hive " 

 (page 120). As the hive is now made to revolve on a 

 wheel like the preceding, this passage must extend' 

 eighteen inches within the room to enable the revolu- 

 tion to be made clear of the window. The passage may 

 be glazed over. The process of stocking is identical'' 

 with that in the last section. 



Although this hive is constructed of double ' glass, to 

 keep up a more uniform degree of warmth, still, from the 

 cold nature of that material, and the close contact into- 

 which the bees are brought with it, it is advisable to place 

 flannel against it on the outside. Such precaution is 

 found essential if the bees remain in this hive during 

 winter, and very much adds to their comfort on cold 

 nights at most periods of the year. In the daytime, in 

 summer months, the hive being of double glass, the 

 whole may be fully exposed to view, and if the tempera- 

 ture of the apartment in which it stands be kept up to 

 60 degrees, this extra care will not be needed. 



At the annual International Exhibition of 1873, at 

 South Kensington, we had two of these hives in full 

 operation, an opening being made so that the bees had 

 full access to the pasturage of the Horticultural and 

 other gardens of the neighbourhood. Among the many 

 visitors whose delight it was to watch the hidden work- 

 ing of the hives thus laid bare for inspection was His 

 Grace the Duke of Sutherland, and he commissioned us 



