HIVE-BEES. 85 



and, notwitlistanding, wax was produced and combs formed 

 "as if they had been at liberty to select their food, " ^\"hen 

 bees were confined," says M. Hnber, " for the purpose of 

 discovering Avhether honey w^as sufficient for the production 

 of wax, they supported their captivity patiently, and showed 

 uncommon perseverance in rebuilding their combs as we 

 lemoved them. Our experiments required the presence of 

 grubs ; honey and water had to be provided ; the bees 

 were to be supplied with combs containing brood, and at 

 tJie same time it was necessary to confine them, that they 

 might not seek pollen abroad. Having a swarm by chance, 

 which had become useless from sterility of the queen, we 

 devoted it for our investigation in one of my leaf-hives, 

 which Avas glazed on both sides. We removed the queen, 

 and substituted combs containing eggs and young grubs, 

 but no cell with farina ; even the smallest particle of the 

 substance which John Hunter conjectured to be the basis 

 of the nutriment of the young was taken away. 



" Xothing remarkable occurred during the first and 

 second day : the bees brooded over the young, and seemed 

 to take an interest in them ; but at sunset, on the third, a 

 loud noise was heard in the hive. Impatient to discover 

 the reason, we opened a shutter, and saw all in confusion ; 

 the brood was abandoned, the workers ran in disorder over 

 the combs, thousands rushed towards the lower part of the 

 hive, and those about the entrance gnawed at its grating. 

 Their design was not equivocal ; they wished to quit their 

 prison. Some imperious necessity evidently obliged them 

 to seek elsewhere what they could not find in the hive 

 and apprehensive that they might perish if I restrained 

 them longer from yielding to their instinct, I set them at 

 liberty. The whole swarm escaped, but the hour being 

 unfavourable for their collections, they flew around the 

 hive, and did not depart far from it. Increasing darkness 

 and the coolness of the air compelled them very soon to 

 return. Probably these circumstances calmed their agita- 

 tion ; for we observed them peaceably remounting their 

 combs ; order seemed re-established, and we took advantage 

 of this moment to close the hive. 



