Chap. 49.] THE MODE OF PREPARING WAX. 3J5 



CHAP. 48. THAT BEES AKE SENSIBLE OF imN'ORE. 



If it is found that the bees are in want of aliment, it will 

 be a good plan to place at the entrance of the hive raisins or 

 dried figs beaten up, 91 as also carded wool soaked in raisin 

 wine, boiled 92 must, or hydromel, and sometimes even the raw 93 

 flesh of poultry. In certain summers, too, when long-con- 

 tinued drought has deprived them of the nutriment which 

 they usually derive from flowers, similar food must be pro- 

 vided for them. 



When the honey is taken, the outlets of the hive should be 

 well rubbed with melissophyllum or broom, 94 beaten up, or else 

 the middle of it should be encircled with bands of white vine, 

 to prevent the bees from taking to flight. It is recommended, 

 too, that the honey-pots and combs should be washed with 

 water : this water, boiled, it is said, will make an extremely 

 wholesome vinegar. 95 



CHAP. 49. THE METHOD OF PREPARING WAX. THE BEST KINDS 



OF WAX. PUNIC WAX. 



Wax is made 96 from the honeycombs after the honey has 

 been extracted. For this purpose, they are first cleaned with 

 water, and then dried three days in the shade : on the fourth 

 day they are melted on the fire in a new earthen vessel, with 

 sufficient water to cover them, after which the liquor is strained 

 off in a wicker basket. 97 The wax is then boiled again with 

 the same water and in the same pot, and poured into vessels of 

 cold water, the interior of which has been well rubbed with 

 honey. The best wax is that known as Punic 98 wax, the next 

 best being that of a remarkably yellow colour, with the smell 

 of honey. This last comes from Pontus, and, to my surprise, 

 it is in no way affected by the poisonous honey which it has 



91 Honeycombs and rough wax are placed in the hive, when the bees 

 are in want of aliment ; also honey and sugar-sirop. 



92 4< Defrutum :" grape-juice boiled down to one-half. 



93 Fee is at a loss to know how this could be of any service as an ali- 

 ment to bees. 



94 A mere puerility, Fee says. 



86 But extremely weak, no doubt ; for after boiling, the hydromel must 

 be subjected, first to vinous, and then to acetous, fermentation. 



96 The method here described differs but little from that employed at 

 the present day. 



97 " Sporta." fltj Or Carthaginian. 



