HOW HONEYBEES PRODUCE HONEYCOMB 



263 



WAX SCALES AND WORKED OVER "CHIPS" OF WAX THAT THE BEES HAVE DROPPED TO 



THE BOTTOM OF THE HIVE. 

 These '"chips" from the circular coping or elsewhere are always circular. If the bees cut the angles 

 (not press them) some of the "chips" would be sharp or angular. 



dibles, showing that they were dropped however, is not always the case, for 



during the process of mastication, some bees appear to be 'careless' and 



Most of the scales which are marked at will mingle small unchewed portions 



all are indented with several small of scales with the masticated wax. In- 



punctures showing the places where deed, it is not uncommon to find nearly 



the spines of the pollen combs have perfect scales mixed with the wax of a 



pierced them. These scars are exactly newly made comb. The masticated 



similar in appearance to those on the wax itself is spongy and flaky when it 



scale shown in the illustration. is deposited by the producing bee and 



***** will later be reworked, thereby gaining 



"As a rule the wax which is deposited greatly in compactness and smooth- 



upon the comb by the producing bee is ness. 



first subjected to the action of the man- "The entire process of the removal 



dibles and mixed with saliva. Such, of one scale, its mastication, and the 



WAX SCALES ISOLATED FROM THE "CHIPS." 

 A compound micioscope more clearly shows markings and scratches made by mandibles and spines. 



