34 
BEES AND BEE-KEEPING. 
completely annihilate the exposed surfaces of the 
swarm, which would require such large contingents of 
bees as mere heat-formers if left unprotected. 
Since swarms vary much in weight and numbers, and 
the same swarm occupies more space as its combs 
increase, we have brought before us the need of 
elasticity in the hive, a feature of great importance, 
which has been overlooked until quite recent years. 
By way of illustration, let A, Fig. 5, represent in 
section an ordinary straw skep. If a colony large 
enough to fill it as they hang in festoons be 
placed within, the protection is so complete that 
the bee-envelope is not required, and during the 
warm part of the day multitudes can be spared 
to make booty in the fields, while at night comb- 
building progresses apace. Should, however, a much 
smaller swarm be put in possession of this dome 
of straw, the bees not only suffer from being weaker 
in numbers, but from the size of the hive ; for, 
since they can only half fill it, they are on one 
side at best but poorly sheltered, and so the weak 
must give up some of their strength to supply a 
layer of warming bees {wb^ A, Fig. 5). Their 
instinct, singularly, directs them to choose the side of 
the skep, which thus minimises their disadvantage, by 
reducing their exposed surface, as will be seen by the 
curve c which gives the outline of the same swarm 
if centrally stationed. It also brings them in contact 
with the hive entrance, e, so that an efficient guard 
may be kept up without detailing a detachment for 
the purpose. 
It has been thought that, because bees naturally 
