134 
BEES. 
long been known and practised. By subjecting them to the 
fumes of this, they become insensible and harmless for a time, 
but soon recover, with no ill effects subsequently. The appa¬ 
ratus for fuming, as it was used at Oxford, is merely a tin tube, 
eighteen inches long and three quarters of an inch in diameter, 
readily made by any tin-worker at little expense. One end is 
extended and flattened, to adapt it to the entrance of the hive, 
whilst the other is applied to the mouth of the operator. In the 
centre of the tube is a box two inches and a half long, and two 
inches in diameter, to contain the fumigating material and to re¬ 
ceive which one end is made to draw out like a telescope. The 
substance usually recommended for the fumigation or stupifying 
of bees is a kind of fungus, found growing, often very large and 
round, chiefly in rich pastures or plantations in the autumn. It 
is the Lycoperdon (Bovista) gigantea, but variously called—as 
devil’s snuff-box, furze-ball, or puff-ball. It should be gathered 
when nearly ripe; dry it in the sun or a cool oven, and preserve 
it from damp. It is then a spongy substance, containing brown 
dust, and burns with an offensive smell. The difficulty often of 
procuring this material led me to make trial of another kind of 
fungus, called, I believe, Racodium cellare, or mouse-skin bissus. 
It may be found growing in large wine or beer vaults, in immense 
dark-coloured bunches or festoons, often wearing a handsome 
appearance. It requires no drying, but ignites at once readily. 
From the experience I have had in its use, I can recommend it 
as even more efficacious than the other fungus. Whatever be 
the material employed, let the hox of the tube be about two 
thirds full, and, if well lighted, the breath will cause it to send 
forth smoke abundantly. The hive which it is intended to de¬ 
prive of its tenants must be lifted gently from its place soon after 
dusk, and placed over some kind of receptacle. The best thing 
is a box or bowl, about ten inches square inside, and five inches 
deep, with a flat rim all round, of three or four inches wide. The 
first introduction of smoke will cause an uproar among the bees, 
which will speedily be followed by silence, as they fall down 
from its effect. A minute or two generally suffices for this, 
assisted by striking the sides and top of the hive. When all is 
quiet turn up the hive, and you will have received the greater 
part of its inhabitants in the bowl, in a stupified state and per¬ 
fectly subdued. A portion will remain sticking in the combs. 
