BEE MANUAL. 



271 



of the bottom-board — hairy side down — affords a good protec- 

 tion against these insects entering the hive. If this practice 

 is to be followed, the cross-pieces or stands below the bottom- 

 board would need to be cut shorter to allow room for the strip 

 of fur to pass them, and nothing in the shape of grass or weeds 

 must be allowed to touch the hives, or the fur would be 

 useless. 



BEE-HAWK (LIBELLULA). 



This is a handsome four-winged insect (Fig. 125), commonly- 

 known as the dragon-fly. It captures the bees while on the 

 wing, swooping down on them with great swiftness, and no 



Fig. 185.— BEE-HAWK (Libellula). 



doubt it is from this circumstance it derives its name. I once 

 caught a splendid specimen, measuring fully three inches in 

 length ; it had just caught a bee in its formidable jaws and 

 settled close to where I was standing. It is easily scared or 

 frightened away, and may be killed on the wing by using a 

 whip. It is found in greatest numbers near still water, in 

 which it lays its eggs and the larvae are reared. 



THE BEE OE WAX MOTH. 



I believe there will be found to be many separate species or 

 varieties amongst the moths which infest beehives in different 



