164 
THE HIVE AND HONET-BKE. 
Apiarian, let liim use what hive he will, to he entirely 
independent of natural swarming. 
It will he obvious, however, that artificial swarming, to 
he successful, requires a knowledge of the laws which con¬ 
trol the breeding of bees. Those, therefore, who are ig¬ 
norant of the economy of the bee-hive, cannot safely 
depart from the old-fashioned mode of management; as 
emergencies which they are unprepared to meet, may at 
any moment occur. An Apiarian may use the common 
hives* a whole life-time, and, unless he gains his infor¬ 
mation from other sources, may yet remain ignorant of 
some of the most important pruiciples in the physiology 
of the honey-bee: while any intelligent cultivator m.ay, 
with movable-combs, in a single season, verify for himself 
the discoveries which have been made only by the accu¬ 
mulated toil of many observers, for more than two thou¬ 
sand years. 
By the aid of movable-comb hives, artificial swarming 
• “ An opportunity of beholding the proceedings of the queen, in hives of the 
usual form, is so very rarely afforded, that ninny Apiarians have passed their lives 
without enjoying it; and Keauinur himself, even with the assistance of a glass-hive, 
acknowledges that he was many years before he had that pleasure.”— Bkvan. 
Swammordnin, who wrote his wonderful treatise on bees, before the invention 
of glass hives, was obliged to tear hives to pieces in making his investigations! 
When we see what Important results these great geniuses obtained, with menus so 
Imperfect, If compared with the facilities which the veriest tyro may now possess 
it ought to teach us a becoming lesson of humility. 
The sentiments of the following extract from Swammerdam, ought to ba 
engraven upon the hearts of all engaged in investigating the works of God: “I 
would not have any one think that I say this from a lovo of fault-finding”—he hud 
boon criticising some incorrect drawings and descriptions—” my solo design is to 
bavo the true face and disposition of Nature e.xptised to sight. I wish others nbuy 
pass the like censure, when due, on iny works; for I doubt not that I have niailo 
many mistakes, although 1 can, from the heart, say, thsvt I have not, in this treatlsw 
dosignoil to mislead. • • * Tho desire of writing is so prevalent, that men publish 
books filled only with the fancies of their brain, and thus misrepresent God and 
his works. God forbid that I should ever do this. Truth, and n religious ecrupii* 
lou.sness of mind, ought everywhere to prevail in describing natural things; for 
they are the Bibles of the divine mlruoles. If ho who writes alms to deeeivo him 
Kilf and others, lot him know that in duo time all things will bo revealed.” 
