HIVE-BEES. 93 



took tlie place of the former in a few minutes, following 

 tlie same procedure. Young shoots of poplar, recently cut, 

 did not- seem to attract these insects, as their viscous 

 matter had less consistence than the former. * 



"Different experiments proved the identity of this 

 substance with the propolis; and now, having only to 

 discover how the bees applied it to use, we peopled a hive, 

 so prepared as to fulfil our views. The bees, building 

 upwards, soon reached the glass above ; but, unable to quit 

 their habitation, on account of rain, they were three weeks 

 without bringing home propolis. Their combs remained 

 perfectly white until the beginning of July, when the state 

 of the atmosphere became more favourable for our observa- 

 tions. Serene, warm weather engaged them to forage, and 

 they returned from the fields laden with a resinous gum, 

 resembling a transparent jelly, and having the colour and 

 lustre of the garnet. It was easily distinguished from the 

 farinaceous pellets then collected by other bees. The 

 workers bearing the propolis ran over the clusters, sus- 

 pended from the roof of the hive, and rested on the rods 

 supporting the combs, or sometimes stopped on the sides of 

 their dw^elling, in expectation of their companions coming 

 to disencumber them of their burthen. We actually saw 

 two or three arrive, and carry the propolis from off the 

 limbs of each with their teeth. The upper part of the hive 

 exhibited the most animated spectacle ; thither a multitude 

 of bees resorted from all quarters, to engage in the pre- 

 dominant occupation of the collection, distribution, and 

 application of the propolis. Some conveyed that of which 

 they had unloaded the purveyors in their teeth, and 

 deposited it in heaps; others hastened, l)efore its harden- 

 ing, to spread it out like a varnish, or formed it into strings, 

 proportioned to the interstices of the sides of the hives to 

 be filled up. Nothing could be more diversified than the 

 operations carried on. 



" The bees, apparently charged with applying the pro- 



* Kirby and Speuce observed bees very busy in collecting propolis 

 from the tacamahaca-tree {Populus bahainifera). — lutrod., ii. 186. 



