120 IXSECT ARCHITECTURE. 



no longer preserve the decreasing gradation which is seen 

 in the new combs."* 



The FiNisiiiXG of thr Cells. 



While the cells are building, they appear to be of a dull 

 white colour, soft, even, though not smooth, and translucent ; 

 but in a few days they become tinged with yellow, particu- 

 larly on the interior surface ; and their edges, from being 

 thin, uniform, and yielding, become thicker, less regular, 

 more heavy, and so firm that they will bend rather than 

 break. New combs break on the slightest touch. There 

 is also a glutinous substance observable around the orifices 

 of the yellow cells, of reddish colour, unctuous, and 

 odoriferous. Threads of the same substance are applied 

 all around the interior of the cells, and at the summit of 

 their angles, as if it were for the purpose of binding and 

 strengthening the walls. These yellow cells also require 

 a much higher temperature of water to melt them than 

 the white ones. 



It appeared evident, therefore, that another substance, 

 different from wax, had been employed in varnishing the 

 oiificcs and strengthening the interior of the cells. M. 

 Huber, by numerous experiments, ascertained the resinous 

 threads lining the cells, as well as the resinous substance 

 around their orifice, to be propolis ; for he traced them, as 

 we mentioned in our account of propolis, from the poplar 

 buds where they collected it, and saw them apply it to 

 the cells ; but the yellow colour is not imparted by pro- 

 polis, to which it bears no analogy. We are, indeed, 

 by no means certain what it is, though it was proved by 

 experiment not to arise from the heat of the hives, nor 

 from emanations of hone}^ nor from particles of j)ollen. 

 Perhaps it may be ascribed to the bees rubbing their teeth, 

 feet, and other parts of their body, on the surfaces where 

 they seem to rest ; or to their tongue (haustellum) sweep- 

 ing from right to left like a fine pliant pencil, when it 

 appears to leave some sprinkling of a transparent liquid. 

 *' Huber on Bees, p. 391. 



