RECORD: Darwin, C. R. n.d. Abstract of 'Miner's American bee-keepers' manual'. CUL-DAR48.B20. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/).
REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed and edited by Kees Rookmaaker, textual notes by John van Wyhe 12.2010. Corrections by Christine Chua 9.2021. RN2
NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with the permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR48 contains notes for Natural selection chap. 8 'Transitions of Organs'. Notes on bees' cells for origin of species theory.
Written in brown ink on blue grey paper, verso blank.
20
Miner's American bee-keepers' manual 18491
p. 102 says he has often observed first rudiment of comb, up to every step of completion, & could not provide "the slightest difference in construction & colour could I ever discover." — He cd hardly have overlooked the rounded external edges & wall of wax of Hives. p 321 The more populous a swarm of Bees less liable to be destroyed "being able by mere force of numbers to prevent a lodgment being made" & here lies the general secret of success." — which shows importance of increase in numbers & therefore loss from wax being necessary.
1 Miner, T. B. 1849. American bee-keepers' manual: being a treatise on the history and domestic economy of the honey-bee embracing a full illustration of the whole subject, with the most approved methods of managing this insect through every branch of its culture, the result of many years' experience. New York: C. M.Saxton.
Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)
File last updated 24 June, 2025