278 DESCRIPTION OF THE HIVE OF WHITE. 



a string or turn upon a pivot, or slide sideways between the 

 two mouldings. 



The side of the box which is to be joined to another box 

 of the same form and dimensions, as it will not be exposed 

 to the external air, may be made of a piece of split deal, about 

 half an inch thick ; this is called the side of communication, 

 because it is not to be wholly enclosed ; a space must be left 

 at the bottom the whole breadth of the box, and a little more 

 than an inch in height, and a hole or passage is to be made 

 at the top three inches long, and more than half an inch 

 wide ; through these, the bees are to have a communication 

 from one box to the other. The lower communication being 

 on the floor, the bees with their burdens can readily and 

 easily ascend into either of the boxes ; the upper communi- 

 cation is only intended as a passage between the boxes, 

 resembling the little holes or narrow passes, which may be 

 observed in the combs formed by the bees, to save time and 

 shorten the way ; when they have occasion to pass from 

 one comb to another, just as in populous cities there are 

 narrow lanes and alleys passing transversely from one large 

 street to another *, 



In the next place, a loose board must be provided half an 

 inch thick, and large enough to cover the side, where the 

 communications have been made. Several small iron staples 

 must be kept in readiness an inch and a half long, with two 

 points or ends bent down more than half an inch. 



It is not necessary to give any directions for making the 

 other box, which must be of the same form and dimensions. 

 The two boxes possess only this difference, that the side of 

 communication of the one must be on the right hand, and 

 the other on the left. This hive and that of Gelieu nearly 



* These passages or alleys through the combs, are hut a fanciful conceit of 

 the reverend gentleman. A bee always perfects its comb from the top to the 

 bottom, without leaving any cavity or open place, unless some obstruction 

 presents itseif. The bees are by far too good economists to waste the space 

 in their hive, by making narrow lanes and alleys through their combs, nor 

 did the circumstance itself ever come under our experience. 



