THE APIDAL. 



259 



hive, for instance — the workers immediately close all cracks and 

 interstices by using a resinous matter, which is admirably adapted 

 for the purpose, and which is obtained from the buds of poplar and 

 other trees. This substance is cdiWed propolis, and is usually found 

 in large quantities in the upper part of the roof of the cavity, 

 where the comb is to be fixed eventually. This is the first part of 

 the labour, and, when it is completed, the bees unite in groups, so 



ill 



,^^^'^^.-u 



A PORTION OF HONEYCOMB. 



as to form the cells of the comb. Each bee seizes a lamella of 

 wax from its own body with the pincer on its hind legs, takes 

 it to its mandibles with the fore-legs, and kneads the mass until a 

 small round piece of proper consistence is formed. This is stuck 

 on to the vault of the hive, and, when a number of such pieces 

 has been collected and placed in their proper position, the cells are 

 hollowed out by the workers, which excavate them side by side, 

 and form them into the regular hexagonal shape by pressure. 



The size of the cells varies, but the majority of them are 



R 2 



