298 FOREIGN BEES. 



interior of a hive presents, like that of the humble- 

 bee in our own country, a confused and irregular 

 appearance. The combs, which have but one series 

 of cells, are placed, some in a vertical position, and 

 others horizontal the latter, superior to the other 

 in regularity of form, and of distance from one 

 another. They are grouped together in an oval 

 mass, and occupy nearly half of the internal space, 

 while the other half is stored with the honey cups. 

 The cells which are destined solely for the rearing 

 of the brood are, like ours, hexangular, though the 

 angles are not so sharply defined, nor is the mouth 

 of the cell strengthened by an additional ring of 

 wax. The diameter is the same with that of ours, 

 but the depth less by one-fifth. It is singular that 

 the young bees are found in the cells with their hindei 

 parts directed towards the mouth ; in being hatched, 

 they will of course, make their exit through the 

 bottom, not having the impediment to encounter 

 there which would obstruct the issue of the Eu- 

 ropean bee. The honey, as has been stated, is 

 deposited in small globular bags, hung round the 

 sides of the hive, or placed at the bottom ; some of 

 these receptacles are more than 1 ^ inch in diameter ; 

 and in many instances are so connected together that, 

 as in the case of cells of common honey combs, one 

 side serves for two cups, thus combining economy 

 and strength. And these magazines of honey being 

 altogether apart from the brood-combs, and noways 

 connected with them, great facility is afforded in 

 depriving the bees of their stores. The honey is 



