294 BEE. 
when it was burnt. I observed that this substance 
was of different colours on different bees, but 
always of the same colour on both legs of the 
same bee; whereas new made comb w^as all of 
one colour. I observed, that it w as gathered with 
more avidity for old hives, where the comb is 
complete, than for those hives where it is only 
begun, which Ave could hardly conceive if it was 
the materials of wax: also Ave may observe, that 
at the very beginning of a hive, the bees seldom 
bring in any substance on their legs for two or ' 
three days, and after that the farina gatherers 
begin to increase ; for noAV some cells are formed 
to hold it as a store, and some eggs are laid, 
which when hatched aauII recjuire this substance as 
food, and which will be ready when the weather 
is wet. I have also observed, that Avdien the 
weather has either been so cold, or so wet, in 
June, as to hinder a young swarm from going, 
abroad, they have yet in that time formed as much: 
new comb, as they did in the same time when the 
w'eather was such as allowed them to go abroad. 
I have seen them bring it in about the latter end 
of March, and have observed, in glass hives, the 
bees Avith the farina on their legs, and have seen 
them disposing of it, as will be described herC' 
after. 
“ J'he wax is formed by the bees themselves; it 
may be called an external secretion of oil, and I 
have found that it is formed between each scale 
of the under side of the belly. When I first ob- 
served this substance, in my examination of the 
