14 



The llahitH of the Honei/b 



trees, commonly called propolis, with which tliey seal 

 the inside of the hive, closing- up all openings except 

 the one which serves as the entrance. 



On a previous page mention was made of the two 

 sizes of cells in the comb. The earliest cells construct- 

 ed by a swarm are always worker-cells — that is, cells 

 from which workers will hatch, and these occupy the 

 middle space of the hive. Later on, the workers con- 



'' »C!^ 



QUEEN-CELLS. 



struct comb witii cells of the larger size, from which 

 drones hatch when they are used for brood, and in 

 which honey is stored. The cells which are used for 

 the storing- of honey generally slant upward slightly 

 to help keep the honey from running out. Tliis mars 

 to some extent the symmetry of the comb, but adds 

 gi-eatly to its etificiency. Queen-cells are made only 

 when a new (|ueen is to be reared. 



