VENTILATION OF THE BEE-HIVE. 179 
the sun’s direct rays, the bees are excessively annoyed by 
the intense heat, and have recourse to the most powerful 
ventilation, not merely to keep the air of the hive pure, but 
to lower its temperature. 
Bees, in such weather, often leave, almost in a body, the 
interior of the hive, and cluster on the outside, not merely 
to escape the close heat within, but to guard their combs 
against the danger of being melted. 
370. Few novices have an adequate idea of the danger 
to heavily laden combs from heat, especially if the cluster 
of bees, outside, happens to obstruct the entrance, by hang- 
ing in front of it. In the Summer of 1877, we have seen 
whole rows of hives, which were exposed to the sun’s rays, 
in a large Apiary, ‘‘melt down’’ almost simultaneously,— 
causing a loss of hundreds of dollars,—for lack of sufficient 
ventilation, owing to the clustering of the bees in front of 
the entrance. 
371. After one comb breaks down, the leaking honey 
spreads over the bottom board, runs out of the entrance, 
daubs the bees, and prevents further ventilation; then the 
rest of the combs fall pell-mell on one another, crushing the 
brood, the queen, and the remaining bees. It is utter de- 
struction. 
372. In very hot weather, the bees are specially careful 
not to cluster on new combs containing sealed honey, which, 
from not being lined with cocoons, and from the extra 
amount of wax used for their covers, melt more readily than 
the breeding-cells. 
Apiarists have noticed that bees often leave their honey- 
cells almost bare, as soon as they are sealed; but it seems 
to have escaped their observation, that this is absolutely 
necessary in very hot weather. In cool weather, they may 
frequently be found clustered among the sealed honey-combs, 
because there is then no danger of their melting. 
Few things are so well fitted to impress the mind with 
