There is, however, one serious objection to Huber's hive, which, though not noticed by him or his careful assistant, has prevented its general use. That is, the difficulty there is in closing it without crushing some of the bees, a catastrophe which, by exasperating their comrades, is certain to interfere with any experiments. There is no such risk in the Bar and Frame Hive, whilst in it every facility possessed by Huber's is retained; so that we strongly recommend scientific apiarians, in preference to Huber's, that they should use some kind of Bar and Frame Hive. We have here introduced a description of Huber's Leaf Hive (and should be glad to exhibit one) for the sake of its historic interest in connection with apiarian science. The invention was invaluable for Huber himself, and it suggested to other apiarians the adoption of the present plan of vertical bars and frames.
The character of Huber, and the circumstances under which he pursued his observations, are so remarkable, that we need scarcely apologize for stating a few particulars respecting him here. He was born at Geneva in July, 1750, his family being in honourable station and noted for talent. Just as he attained to manhood he lost his sight, and remained blind to the end of his days. This apparently insuperable obstacle in the way of scientific observation, was overcome by the remarkable fidelity with which Burnens, his assistant, watched the bees, and reported their movements to Huber, Madame Huber also who, although betrothed to him before his calamity, had remained constant in her affection, assisted in the investigations with great assiduity during their long and happy wedded life. We quote the following from "Memoirs of Huber," by Professor de Candolle:—
"We have seen the blind shine as poets, and distinguish themselves as philosophers, musicians, and calculators; but it was reserved for Huber to give a lustre to his class in the sciences of observation, and on objects so minute that the most clear-sighted observer can scarcely perceive them. The reading of the works of Reaumur and Bonnet, and the conversation of the latter, directed his curiosity to the history of bees. His habitual residence in the country inspired him with the desire, first of verifying some facts, then of filling some blanks in their history; but this kind of observation required not only the use of such an instrument as the optician must furnish, but an intelligent assistant, who alone could adjust it to its use. He had then a servant named Francis Burnens, remarkable for his sagacity and for the devotion he bore for his master. Huber practiced him in the art of observation, directed him to his researches by questions adroitly combined, and aided by the recollections of his youth, and by the testimonies of his wife and friends, he rectified the assertions of his assistant, and became enabled to form in his own mind a true and perfect image of the manifest facts. 'I am much more certain,' said he, smiling, to a scientific friend, 'of what I state than you are, for you publish what your own eyes only have seen, while I take the mean among many witnesses.' This is, doubtless, very plausible reasoning, but very few persons will by it be rendered distrustful of their own eyesight."
The results of Huber's observations were published in 1792, in the form of letters to Ch. Bonnet, under the title of "Nouvelles Observation sur les Abeilles." This work made a strong impression upon many naturalists, not only because of the novelty of the facts stated, and the excellent inductive reasoning employed, but also on account of the rigorous accuracy of the observations recorded, when it was considered with what an extraordinary difficulty the author had to struggle.
Huber retained the clear faculties of his observant mind until his death, which took place on the 22nd of December, 1831. Most of the facts relating to the impregnation of the queen, the formation of cells, and the whole economy of the bee-community as discovered and described by Huber, have received full confirmation from the investigations of succeeding naturalists.
III. EXTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS AND APPARATUS.
BEE-HOUSE TO CONTAIN TWO HIVES. No. 39.
Front View of Bee-House.