84 MINER S AMERICAN 



in a cluster around their works, and resting on the bot- 

 tom-board ; and at this point, the bees took their depar- 

 ture, when leaving for the fields, first running along the 

 lanes, or avenues aforesaid, to the point of egress ; and 

 those entering, pursuing the same pathway. Being 

 anxious to know what result the letting in of a plenty 

 of pure air, would have on the bees engaged in venti- 

 lating, I raised the hive on all sides, three-eighths of an 

 inch, and supported it by small blocks at each corner. 

 I then looked into the hive, through the glass door, and 

 saw after a minute or two, the bees commence leaving 

 their stations by degrees, until every column of bees, 

 engaged in renewing the air, disappeared ! 



CHAPTER VI. 



BLACK BEES. 



There is a class of bees denominated " black bees," 

 that occasionally appear, and which have caused much 

 speculation among apiarians — some even denying that 

 such a class do ever exist. That such black bees do 

 sometimes appear, is beyond all question; yet many 

 years may pass with the apiarian, without appearing in 



