68 



My observations covered a period of ninety days from December 1, 

 1885, and included a range of temperature from zero to 65° F. The 

 hives were placed in a dark apartment, and an oil stove with a radiator 

 was used for heating. Different degrees of temperature were maintained 

 for several consecutive hours, and, as occasion required, for consecutive 

 days, and careful observations were taken. 



At a range of temperature from 48° to 52° F., according to the humid- 

 ity of the atmosphere in the cellar, bees, according to a rule of nature, 

 enter into the hibernating state. After repeated trials over a wide 

 range of temperature, at 41° F. I found the shape of the cluster most 

 permanent. While that degree of temperature was maintained, little 

 change in the shape or location of the clusters could be seen, and func- 

 tional activity on the part of individual bees, and of the whole colony 

 as well, seemed to have reached the minimum degree of manifestation, 

 even respiration seemed to be suspended. The change in the form of 

 the cluster was determined by outline drawings on paper. The colonies 

 presented substantially the same outline for days together when a uni- 

 form temperature of 4L° was maintained. I placed some colonies in a 

 darkened building late in the fall of the year, and when the temperature 

 was 40° F. natural heat on a dry day above ground, the same phenom- 

 ena were observed. 



The temperature of the cellar was lowered by admitting the air through 

 an outer room, so that no perceptible currents entered the apartment 

 where the bees were kept. The degree of unrest and activity increased 

 in proportion as the temperature neared the «ero point. Thirty-seven 

 degrees F. in a very dry cellar is a danger point, the danger increasing 

 in proportion as the temperature is lowered or the humidity of the at- 

 mosphere is increased. 



The degree of activity shown by bees when the temperature in the 

 repository or cellar is 44° F. is not much greater than at 41°, all other 

 conditions being the same. 



At intervals of about one week the bees arouse to activity, the form 

 of the cluster changes, and after three or four hours of cheerful and 

 contented humming, having in the mean time appeased their hunger, the 

 cluster is reformed into a compact body, the humming ceases, respira- 

 tion becomes slow, profound silence reigns in the hive until change of 

 temperature or the demands of hunger rouse the bees from the coma 

 in which they have been bound. The more perfect the conditions for 

 hibernation the longer the periods of inactivity. 



As the activity of bees is not much greater when the temperature 

 in the cellar or repository is steadily maintained at 44 degrees than it 

 is at 41 degrees, and as 41 degrees is too near the danger point, I find 

 it safer to keep the temperature in dry winter repositories, whether 

 above or below ground, at 44° F., and I find it better that the variation 

 from the standard degree of 41° F. should be in proportion of 2 degrees 

 above rather than 1 degree below. If the repository be damp a degree 



