VENTILATION OP 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, "meltdown" 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 hned 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 



