Perhaps the divided labour of the Honey-Bees was anticipated by the author of these lines: but, be that as it might, I, in my turn, will ask--How can we preserve the Bees uninjured, divide their works, and take away their superabundant treasure, without the influence of ventilation? I think it is impossible. A lesson, a true lesson from nature, has demonstrated this fact to me, and twelve years' constant labour and attention to this important subject have put into operation my plans for the welfare of that wonderful insect--the sovereign Queen of Bees. Well might Dr. Bevan say-- First of the throng, and foremost of the whole, One stands confess'd the sovereign and the soul. Curious facts respecting this extraordinary creature are before me, which have been ascertained and proved by means of my observatory-hive. This hive is unknown in any work hitherto published on the interesting subject of Bee-management: and with reference to it I may observe--that when a new principle is discovered by studying nature, such principle will seldom fail to produce effects beneficial in proportion to its being understood and skilfully applied. So simple and so rational (if I may so say) is my observatory-hive, that it cannot but be approved, when it is once understood, by the followers of my apiarian practice. Be my humble theory what it may, it hath truth for its foundation; and by perseverance and industry I flatter myself I shall materially improve, if not bring to perfection, the cultivation and management of Honey-Bees, merely by pointing out _how_ the produce of their labour may be divided, _how_ a part thereof may be taken away, a sufficiency be left for the sustenance of the stock, and _how_ their lives may be preserved notwithstanding. Much has been said against the probable results of this practice: but facts are stubborn things; and luckily for me and my mode of Bee-management, I have an abundance of the most incontrovertible facts to adduce, which will, I think and hope, convince all those who have heretofore entertained doubts upon the subject. The first movement in my apiarian practice commences with the pavilion of nature. This pavilion, which is equivalent to a cottage-hive, is the subject of my present observations and explanation. I say, then,---disturb not this hive--this pavilion of nature: weaken not its population; but support its influence, and extend to it those accommodations which no practice, except my own, has yet put into operation, or made any adequate provision for. This humane practice partakes not of the driving, nor of the fumigating, nor of the robbing system. It is a liberal principle of Bee-cultivation founded on humanity. And it is by such practice that we must succeed, if we hope to be benefited by the culture of Honey-Bees. CHAPTER III. VENTILATION.