264 BEE MANIPULATION. [Ch. v. 



equally useful for all kinds of glasses. It is introduced 

 in connection with this glass because, from its having 

 a flat top and no knob, the regularity is more clearly 

 apparent. 



The working of bees in the bell glasses illustrates 

 how tractable their disposition really is if only scope is 

 allowed for the due exercise of their natural instinct. 

 They have no secrets in their economy, and they do not 

 shrink from our constant observation as they daily pur- 

 sue their simple policy of continuous thrift and perse- 

 vering accumulation. Yet it is only owing to the labours 

 of successive inventors that we are now enabled to 

 watch " the very pulse of the machine " of the bee 

 commonwealth. 



"Long from the eye of man and face of day, 

 Involved in darkness all their customs lay. 

 Until a sage well versed in Nature's lore, 

 A genius formed all science to explore, 

 Hives well contrived in crystal frames disposed, 

 And there the busy citizens disclosed." 



Murphy's VAxiiRE. 



Supposing the hive to be a stock (page 8i), the super 

 should be applied at the early part of the season, say, if 

 fine and warm, at the latter end of April or beginning 

 of May ; but if the weather is then unfavourable it is 

 better to delay doing so until a more genial temperature. 

 If the colony is a swarm of the present year, two or 



