Kidder's guide to apiarian science

Front matter

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[SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.]

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Preface

Having spent several years in the study of the Honey Bee, (Apis Mellifica) and knowing there are but few books published in this country upon that subject, which are practical works for the Apiarian to be guided by, and seeing so much mismanagement with bees, and knowing the profits to be derived from their keeping when they have proper care and attention bestowed upon them, has induced me to write this small treatise.

In all countries and in every age, the labors of bees has proved a fertile source of admiration, and mankind have endeavored unremittingly to convert it to gratification or emolumei.t. What can be more wonderful indeed, than to witness an insect of such apparent insignificance, rendering each different flower tributary to itself, or the necessity of its young • and fabricating structures which no human art can approach and imitate. But it is from the impulse of its propensities, and from the united efforts of myriads, that we are enabled to gain those valuable products which otherwise would be utterly unattainable. Curiosity and avidity being equally awakened by the industry of these diminutive beings, innumerable theories, observations, and experiments, have followed, regarding them ; yet the real discoveries compared with the investigators, has been surprisingly few. Vague speculations have been substituted for rational researches into thenature of bees, and superficial inspection deemed satisfactory analysis of their works. Hence the properties actually ascertained, are so interwoven with error, that no subject has been the parent of greater absurdities. Unfortunately, also, some of these treaties, and the most accessible ones at the present day, only contribute to their wide dispersion and enhance the difficulties of the philosophical naturalist who is attempting their eradication. A considerable portion of this work is devoted to this purpose ; it belongs to the reader to judge of the deductions whereby the author concludes that he has established many facts from experiments. Perhaps no treatise of equal compass, or even greater, contains as many novelties in the history of bees. Their nature, organization, sense, instinct, and mode of perpetuation, are all illustrated. The origin of Wax, the faculty of obtaining it from honey or sugar, its application to use in the structure of cells and the formation of comb, are fully discussed, while several points are established which had been previously, themes of conjecture and controversy. But the general approbation given here, as well as in many parts of the Old world, to a modest and unobtrusive work, wherein both instruction and amusement are combined, constitutes the btst testimony of its merits. Thus, to use the words of Sue, an eminent foreign author, " the observations are so consistent, and the deductions so conclusive, that this treatise will be a guide to Apiarian science, in all its variousdepartments." It has been the aim of the author in this small treatise, to give to the world a s ystem of Bee Management that will prove a guide to Apiarians and a benefit to the rising generation.

MEMOIRS OF HUBER,

PRINCE OF APIARIANS.

The Naturalist whose researches have been specially directed to the instincts and operations of the domestic Honey Bee, will be strongly disposed to regard the subject of this Memoir, as at the very head of Apiarian Science, and his writings, as forming the safest and most useful text-book. Multitudes have written on this interesting department of Natural History, and have cdded more or less to our knowledge of what has been a subject of investigation for ages- But none, either in ancient or modern times, have displayed so much sagacity of research, as Francis Huber, nor so much perseverance and accuracy of experiment, even admitting some errors of minor importance, detected by succeeding observers. His success in discovery, notwithstanding the singular difficulty he had to struggle with, was proportioned to his intelligence and acuteness ; and this difficulty arose, not from what some of his advocates have, in their zeal in his defence against the sneers of the skeptical, termed " imperfect vision," but from total blindness. For, from the period when he first applied himself in good earnest, to investigate the nature of his winged favorites, external nature presented to his eyes one universal blank.

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It is not, therefore, without reason, that his friend and eulogist, Be Candole* asserts that "nothing of importance has been added to the history of* Bees since his time ; and naturalists of unimpaired vision, have nothing of consequence' to subjoin, of a brother who was deprived of sight."

Francis Huber was born at Geneva, on the 2d of July, 1750. His father possessed a decided taste for subjects of natural science ; the son inherited ihe taste of his father, and even in his boyish days, pursued his favorite studie" 4 with such intense ardor, as materially to injure his health, and bring on that weakness of his visual organs which, eventually, ended in total blindness. His attention had been led to what became his sole and engrossing study, the habits and economy of the Honey Bee, by his admiration of the writings of Reaumur, and above all, by acquaintance with Bonnett, the illustrious author of " Contemplation de La Nature," who quickly discovered the intelligence and penetration of his young friend; and who kindly and strongly encouraged him, in his peculiar researches. It is singular enough, that these two distinguished naturalists and friends should both have labored under a similar personal defect, occasioned, too, by the same causes ; for the same intenseness and minuteness of observation which deprived Huber of sight altogether, had brought on in Bonnett a weakness of vision, which, for a time, threatened total blindness, and from which he never fully recovered.

It will readily occur to every cue that the loss of sight in Huber, must not only have presented a very serious obstacle to the successful study of his favorite science, but must have had the effect also, of throwing considerable doubt on the accuracy of his experiments, and the reality of his discoveries. His most devoted admirers, and most unhesitating followers,

*See Memoirs of Huber by M. de Candole, in the Edinburgh PhilojphicalJournal, for April, 1833,

PRINCE OF APIARIANS. 15

ii every thing connected with the economy of Bees, are bound in candor to acknowledge, that his observations, reported as they were at second hand, and depending, for their accuracy, on the intelligence and fidelity of a half-educated assistant,. were, of themselves, not entitled to be received without caution and distrust. Francis Burnens, his assistant, had, no doubt, entered with enthusiasm into the pursuit, and appears to have conducted the experiments not only with the most patient assiduity, but with great address and no smali share of steadiness and courage: qualities indispensable in those who take Li berties "with the irritable genus apum. Still, Burnens was but an uncultivated peasant when he became Ruber's hired servant, and possessed none of those acquired accomplishments which s>rve to sharpen the intellectual faculties, and fit the mind for observing and discriminating with correctness.

It cannot reasonably excite our wonder, therefore, that on

the firs: appearai ce of Huber'.s observations, the literary, or

rather the scientific, world was somewhat startled, not only at

■ v:des, but also at the instrumentality ,hy which they

Huuci, however, had taken great pains in cultivating the naturally acute mind of the young man, in directing his rend accustoming him to rigorous accuracy in his observations. And the fact that a glimmering of many of the discoveries reported by die assistant to his master, had prei themselves to the minds of Linnseus, Eeau-mur, and other \ receding observers, should so far satisfy us that they were not brought forward merely to support a preconceived Theory, (of which, it is probable, Burnens had no idea,) nor owed their origin to a vivid and exhuberant imagination. At a future period, Huber was deprived of the aid of this valuable coadjutor; ) loss was more than compensated, and accuracy in experiments and observation, if possible, still

16 MEMOIRS OF HUBER,

more unquestionably secured, by the assistance and co-operation of his son, P. Huber, who has given so much delight to the lovers of Natural History, by his ' b Researches concerning the Habits of Ants."

But whatever hesitation may arise in our minds from the fact of Huber's discoveries not being the result of his personal observation, no doubt can reasonably remain, as to such of them as have been repeatedly confirmed and verified by subsequent observers. And this has actually taken place, and holds strictly true, in regard to the most important of them.

His discoveries respecting the impregnation of the queen-bee ; the consequences of retarded impregnation ; the power possessed by the working-bees of converting a worker Larva into a Queen — a fact, though not originally discovered by Huber, yet, until his decisive experiments and illustrations, never entirely known or credited — the origin of wax and its manner of elaboration ; the nature of propolis ; the mode of constructing the combs and cells, and of ventilating or renovating the vitiated atmosphere of the hives; to— • and a variety of other particulars of inferior moment, have almost all been repeatedly verified by succeeding observers, and many of them by the writer of this brief Memoir. It is readily admitted that some of his experiments, when repeated, have not been attended with the results which he led us to expect ; and some incidents in the proceedings of the Bees as stated, have not been witnessed by succeeding observers. But in some of these, the error may have been in repetition, in others, the result, even under circustances apparently the same, may not always be uniform, for the instincts of Bees are liable to modification; and in some he doubtless may be, and probably /s,nistaken.

In passing judgment, however, on his reported discoveries, we ought to keep in view that the author of them has thrown

PRINCE OF APIARIANS. 17

more light upon the subject of Bee Culture, than all the other Naturalists taken together, and that therefore, nothing short of the direct evidence of our senses, the most rigid scrutiny, and ihe most minute correctness of detail in experiment, can justify our denouncing his accuracy, or drawing different conclusions. His experiments were admirably fitted to elicit the truth, and his inferences so strictly logical, as to afford all reasonable security against any very important error.

Iluber's Nouvelles observations sur les Abeilles" addressed in form of a letter to his friend Bonnet, appeared in 1792, in one volume. In 1814 a second edition was published at Paris, in two volumes, comprehending the result of additional researches on the same subject, edited in part by his son. An English version appeared in 1806, and was very favorably noticed by the Edingburgh Review. A third edition of this translation was published, in Edingburgh, in 1821, embracing not only the original work of 1792, but also the several additions contained in that of 1814, and which had originally made their appearance in the Bibliotheaue Bmtanniaue.

These additional observations were : on the Origin of Wax, on the use of Farina or Pollen, on the Architecture of Bees, and on the precautions adopted by those insects against the ravages of the Sphinx Atrapos.

To enlarge on the personal character and domestic circumstances of Huber, falls not strictly within our province, which embraces only, or chiefly, his writings and character as a Naturalist. There are, however, some features in his disposition, and some circumstances in his personal history, dwelt upon at considerable length by De Oandole, which appear so well worthy the attention of our readers, that we cannot forego the opportunity of detailing them, though necessarily in an abridged form.

His manners were remarkably mild and amiable, as is frequently found to be the case with those who are afflicted

18 MEMOIRS OF HUBER.

with blindness, and his conversation animated and interesting. " When any one" says his friend, " spoke to him on subjects which interested his heart, his noble figure became strikingly animated, and the vivacity of his countenance seemed,by a mysterious magic, to animate even his eyes, which had so long been condemned to blindness." It appears that some of his friends would gladly have persuaded him to try the effect of an operation, on one of his eyes, which seemed to be affected only by simple cataract ; but he declined the proposal, and bore, not only without complaint, but with habitual cheerfulness, his sad deprivation. His marriage with Maria Aimee Lullin, the daughter of a Swiss magistrate, was in a high degree romantic.

The attachment had begun in their early youth, but was opposed by the lady's father, on the ground of Huber's increasing infirmity ; for even then, the gradual decay of his organs of vision was become but too manifest. The affection and devotedness of the young lady, however, appeared to strengthen in proportion to the helplessness of their object. She declared to her parents, that although she would have readily submitted to their will, if the man of her choice could have done without her ; yet as he now required the constant attendance of a person who loved him, nothing should prevent her from becoming his wife. Accordingly, as soon as she had attained the age which she imagined gave her a right to decide for herself, she refused many brilliant offers, and united her fate with that of Huber. The union was a happy one. Their mutual good conduct soon brought about the pardon of their disobedience. In the society and affection of his generous minded wife, the blind man felt no wants ; she was " eyes to the blind,"— his reader— his secretary and observer — sharer in his enthusiasm on the subject of Natural Science, and an able assistant in his experiments. She was spared to him over forty years. " As long as she lived,"

PRINCE OF APIARIANS. 19

said he in his old age, " I was not sensible of the misfortune of being blind." The last years of his life were soothed by the attentions of his married daughter, Madame de Molin, whose residence was at Lausanne, and to which place he had removed.

It was about this period that he learned the existence, in Mexico, of Bees without stings; and he was, by the kind exertions of a friend, soon after gratified by a present of a hive of that species. To him, whose life had been almost exclusively devoted to the study and admiration of these insects, we may conceive how great a source of enjoyment this present must have afforded, His feelings towards his Bees was not a feeling of fondness in an ordinary degree, it was a j' as - sion, as it almost invariably becomes^ with every one who makes them his study.

The days of Huber were now drawing to a close. In the full possession of his mental faculties, he was able to converse with his friends with his accustomed ease and tranquility, and even to correspond by letter with those at a distance, within two days of his death. He died in the arms of his daughter, on the 22:1 of December, 1331, in the 81st year of his age.

Apiarians owe more to Huber, for the advancement of Apiarian science, than to any other man. Having in many instances verified some of the most important of his observations, I take the greatest pleasure in acknowledging my many obligations to him, and holding him up before the world as the L under of Apiarian science in a great degree. There are few riifj'n, either in ancient or modern times, that have had such means, perseverance and patience in carrying on his many rostly experiments for a series of years, as the celebrated

I'iUDhR.

APIS MELLIFICA

Introduction

The domestic Honey Bee has excited a lively and almost universal interest, from the earliest ages.

The philosopher, the poet, and historian, have each delighted in the study of an insect whose nature and habits afford such ample scope for inquiry, and contemplation ; and even the less intellectual will readily perceive the profit and gain that can be derived from the Honey Bee, with proper care and management.

" Wise in their govermment," observes the venerable Kirby, " diligent and active in their employments, devoted to their young and to their queen, the Bees read a lecture to mankind that exemplifies their oriental na-ne, Deburah — she that speaketh."

So high did the ancients carry their admiration of this tiny portion of animated nature, that one philosopher, Aristomachus, it is said, made it the sole object of his study for near three score years ; another retired to the woods, and devoted to its contemplation the whole of his life.- Both the great Bee Ma-ters left behind them, in writing, the results of their many experiments and observations. However small the contribution of knowledge which we have received from these ancient worthies, they must have greatly aided the progress of their favorite science, and are at all events evidences of the zeal with which it was prosecuted in their day.

INTRODUCTION. 21

About three hundred years after the time at which Aristottle wrote, his observations and discoveries on the Honey Bee were embellished and invested with a species of divinity, by the matchless pen of Virgil, in his fourth Book of Georgics, and it excites feelings of regret, that poetry, which for its beauty and elegance is so universally admired, should be the vehicle of opinions that are founded in error.

About the commencement of the Christian era, Columella, who was a very accurate observer, and exhibited considerable genius as a naturalist, made some useful and curious discoveries and rem. irks upon Bees, in his treaties De Re Rustica. But Columella, like Virgil, appears to have acquiesced in, and copied, the errors of his predecessors.

After him, the elder Pliny gave a sanction to the opinions which he found prevalent, and added to them others of his own. To him we are indebted for the transmission to us of all that was actually known, or supposed to be know T n, of Natural History in his day.

After the compilation of Pliny's vast Compendium, nearly fourteen hundred years rolled away without anything being done for Entomology, or for Natural History in general. The Arabians alone preserved a glimmer of science, during those dark ages that succeeded the fall of the Roman Empire.

On the revival of learning in the fifteenth century, and after the discovery of the Art of Printing, various editions were published of the works on natural History, written by the fathers of that science. Sir Edward Wotton, Conrade Gesner, and others, produced, conjointly, a work on insects, the manuscript of which came into the possession of Doctor Thomas Perry, an eminent Physician and Botanist in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. After devoting fifteen years to the improvement of the work, the Doctor died, and the unfinished manuscripts were purchased at an exorbiant price, by

22 APIS MELLIFECA.

Mauffet, a cotemporar'y English physician of singular learning, who with great labo', and at great expense, arranged, and enlarged, and completed the work. When nearly ready for i he press, he also died, and the papers, after lying buried in dust and obscurity for several years, at last fell into the hands of Sir Theodore Mayearne, (Baron d' AuDone,) a Court Physician in the time of Charles the First, who gave them to the world in 1634. Swammer&am published his celebrated work, " A General History of Insects," in 1669 ; a more enlarged edition in two volumes folio, containing the history of Bees, was afterwards published in 1737', under the auspices of Boorhaave, from the manuscript of Swammerdam. Those readers who have patience to wade through these tedious volumes, will be rewarded by the attainment of much curious information.

The French Natural Historian, Reaumur, stands prominent among the students of Entomology, for the unsurpassed enthusiasm and accuracy with which he has investigated some of the most intricate parts. About this period, also, flourished the great, the illustrious Linnsens, whose labors diffused light over every department of natural science, and have just cause to be regarded as one of its brightest ornaments.

Afterwards appeared the works of the celebrated Bonnet;, of Geneva, the admiring correspondent of Eeaumur, and the patron and friend of Huber. This great Physiologist became iddicted to the study of Entomology, before he was seventeen y 7 ears of age, from reading Spectacle de L : N. re; and his! decisive experiments upon Aphides,* do him the highest 3redit.

We now come to to the Physiological discoveries of Schii •ach, Hunter, and Huber, men who have wonderfully ad-

* Aphides, a species of insect that causes the Honey I)ew, See chapter upon Honey Dew

INTRODUCTION. 23

vanced the science of Entomology by a series of\ xperiments most ably conducted, by the most patient investigation, and tlie most accurate and enlightened observation, and placed it upon the solid foundation of rational induction.

Several other writers, also, both in systematic works and periodical publications, have contributed to, and thrown much light upon, the economy and habits of the Honey Bee. A host of writers upon the nature, habits and culture of the Lee, have written within the last century, and many of them have made valuable discoveries pertaining to the nature of the Bee.

Swammerdam, Maraldi, Beaumur, Bonnett, Schirach, Arthur Dobbs, Esq., Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq., Sir 0. S. Mackenzie, George Newport, and the Eev. Dr. Dunbar ; and more recently Huber and Thorly, Wildman and Keys, Hunter and Bonner, among ourselves, multiplied a hundred fold the discoveries of Aristotle, Columella and Maraldi.

All the above writers have done much toward the advancement of Apiarian Science.

In the following Treatise it has been my endeavor to combine, as much as possible, the profitable with the instructive and amusing ; in seeking which object, I have endeavored to clear the ground before rr.e of the wild flowers of conjecture and hypothesis, with which the human imagination has strewn it, and to substitute in their place the less showy, but more useful products of experiments and rational deduction ; the growth of which it should be the object of every laborer in the field of science to promote. I trust, that on a perusal of the experiments and observations detailed in the following pages, my readers will perceive that several of the difficulties and obscurities with which the subject has been beset have been cleared away, and that much has been done recently to illustrate the Physiology, as well as to simplify the man-

>4 APIS MEtLlFICA.

agement and culture of the Bee. Our prescribed limits, have restricted us, in a great degree, to mere matter of fact, and prevent us often from illustrating our subject, as we might have done, by reference to the habits and instincts of others of the insect tribes. The same cause has operated as a bar to our indulging, so frequently as our inclinations would have led us; we trust, however, that the facts detailed, will of themselves, lead the mind of the intelligent reader to such reflections, as will secure for him the true merits of Entomology

THE ANATOMY

OF

THE HONEY BEE.

Chapter I

The Honey Bee, (Apis Mellifica) is of the order, Hymenoptera, or that species of insects having four membraneous wings. Its anatomic structure presents, even to the superficial observer, striking evidence of design in the All-wise Contriver, and of the admirable adaptation of its parts, to their several uses. The body of the insect is about half an inch in length, of a blackish brown color, which deepens with age, and wholly covered with close-set hairs, which assist greatly in collecting the Farina of flowers. Tearing open the anthers of the plant on which it has alighted, and rolling its little body in the bottom of the corrolla, the insect brushes off the Earina, moistens it with its mouth, and passes it, from one pair of legs to another, until it is safely lodged, in the form of a kidney-shaped pellet, in a spoon-like receptacle, on its hinder legs, (to be noticed hereafter.) These hairs deserve to be particularly remarked, on account of their peculiar formation, being feather-shaped, or rather consisting each of a stem, with branches disposed around it, and, therefore, besides more effectually retaining their animal heat, peculiarly adapted for their office of sweeping off the farina. The head, which is of a triangular shape, and much flattened, is furnished with a pair of large eyes, of composite construction, and consisting of a vast assemblage of small, hexagonal surfaces, disposed C

26 THE ANATOMY OF

with exquisite regularity, each constituting, in itself, a perfect eye ; they are thickly studded with hair, which preserves them from dust, &c In addition to these moans of vision, the Bee is provided with three small stemmata, or coronetted eyes, situated in ihe very crown of the head, and arranged in the form of a triangle.

These must add considerably to the capacity of vision, in an insect whose most important operations are carried on in deep obscurity. As to the special or peculiar use the ocelli may serve, Reaumur and Blumonbach were of opinion, that while the large compound organs are used for viewing distant objects, the simple ones, are employed on objects close at hand. It is not probable, however, that these last, from their peculiar position, are appropriated to upward vision.

The Antennas present us with another remarkable appendage of the head ; these are two tubes, about the thickness of a hair, springing from between the eyes, and a little below the ocelli ; they are jointed throughout their whole length, each consisting of twelve articulations, and therefore, capable of every variety of flexure. Their extremities are tipped with small round knobs, exquisitely sensible ; and which, from their resemblance tc the stemmata, or ocelli, have been supposed, by some, to serve as organs of vision, — by others, as connected with the sense of hearing, — and by others still, as organs of feeling or touch. This last seems the most probable conjecture, as, on approaching any solid object or obstacle, the Bee cautiously brings its antennae in contact with it, as if exploring its nature. These insects use these organs, also, as a means of recognizing one another ; and an interesting instance is stated by Huber, in which they were employed to ascertain the presence of their Queen.

The Mouth of the Bee comprehends the tongue, the mandible, or upper jaws, the maxillce, or lower jaws ; the labrum, or upper lip ; the labium, or lower lip ; with the proboscis connected with

THE HONEY BEE.

it, and fom palpi, or feelers. The tongue of the Bee, like that of other animals, is situated within the mouth, and is so small and insignificant in appearance, as not to be easily discernable. In most anatomical descriptions of the Bee, the real tongue, now described, has been erroneously confounded with the ligula, or central piece of the proboscis, hereafter to be described. The upper jaw of the Bee, as of all other insects, is divided vertically into two, thus forming in fact, a pair of jaws, under the name of mandibles. They are more horizontal than the proboscis, and are furnished with teeth, and serve to the little laborers as tools, with which they perform a variety of operations ; as, manipulating the wax — constructing the combs — protecting themselves against their enemies — destroying their Drones, &c. The lower jaws, or maxilla, divided vertically, as the others, form, together with the labium, or under lip, the complicated apparatus of the proboscis. This organ, beautiful in its construction, and admirably adapted to its end, serving to the insect the purpose of extracting the juices secreted in the nectaries of flowers consisting principally, of a long, slender piece, named, by eii mo'ogists, the Ligula, and erroneously, though, considering its position and use, not unnaturally regarded as the tongue. It is, strictly speaking, formed by the prolongation of the lower lip. It is not tubular, as has been supposed, but solid throughout : consisting of a close succession of cartilaginous rings, above forty in number, each of which is fringed by very minute hairs> having also a tuft at its extremity. It is ? ^ ofa flattish form, and about the thickne?s of a human hair ; and, from its cartilaginous structure, capable of being easily

moved in all directions, rolling from side to side, and lapping or

28 THE ANATOMY OF

licking up, whatever, by the aid of the hairy fringers, adheres to it. It is probably by muscular action, that the fluid which it laps is propelled into the pharynx, or canal, situated at its root, and through which it is conveyed to the honey-bag. From the base of this lapping instrument arises the labial palpi, or feelers, composed of four articulations of unequal length, the basal one being by much the longest, and whose peculiar office is to ascertain the nature of the food ; and both these and the ligula are protected from injury by the maxilla, or lower jaws, which envelope them, when in a quiescent state, as between two demi sheaths, and thus present the appearance of a single tube. About the middle of the maxillce, are situated the maxilliary palpi, of very diminutive size, but having the same office to perform as those situated at the base of the ligula. The whole of the aparatus is capable of being doubled up, by means of an articulation, or joint, in the middle. The half next to the lip bends itself inward, and lays itself along the other half, which stretches towards the root, and both are folded together within a very small compass, under the head and neck. The whole m:>eh!nerj rests on a pedicle, not seen in the figure, which admit.- • f its being drawn in, or propelled forward, to a considerab.r *x.iont.