312 
BEE. 
to keep through the winter; and in such case a 
new swarm is thrown off, which, how^ever, is com- 
monly not a large one, and generally has too little 
time to complete its comb, and store it wdth honey 
sufficient to preserve them through the winter. 
This is similar to the second or third swarm of 
the old hives. 
Of the Seasons, when the different Operations of 
Bees take place. 
“ I have already observed, that the new colony 
immediately sets about the increase of their num- 
bers, and every thing relating to it. They had 
their apartments to build, both for the purpose of 
breeding, and as a storehouse for provisions for 
the winter. When the season for laying eggs is 
over, then is the season for collecting honey; 
therefore, when the last chrysalis for the season 
comes forth, its cell is immediately filled with 
honey, and as soon as a cell is full, it is covered 
over with pure wax, and is to be considered as 
store for the winter. This covering answers two 
very essential purposes: one is to keep it from 
spilling, or daubing the bees: the other to pre- 
vent its evaporation, by which means it is kept 
fluid in such a Wcirmth. They are also employed 
in laying up a store of bee-bread for the young 
maggots in the spring, for they begin to bring 
forth much earlier than probably any other insect, 
because they retain a summer heat, and store up 
food for the young. 
