400 Beekeeping 



the cell wall. The scales can best be observed when the 

 comb is held with the top inclined toward the observer so 

 that a bright light strikes the lower side wall (Fig. 165). A 

 characteristic and usually penetrating odor is often notice- 

 able in the decaying larvae. This can best be likened to the 

 odor of heated glue. 



The larger part of the larvae which die of this disease are 

 attacked after being sealed in the cells. The cappings are 



FIG. 166. Apiary in southern California which was practically destroyed 

 by disease. When this apiary was visited by the author in 1908, only 

 15 colonies were seemingly free from American foul brood in the 

 151 hives. After treatment only 14 colonies were saved. This devas- 

 tation had occurred in two seasons. 



often entirely removed by the bees, but when they are left 

 they usually become sunken (Fig. 163, g, c, j) and frequently 

 perforated (Fig. 163, c, j). As the healthy brood emerges 

 the comb shows the scattered sunken cappings covering dead 

 larvae (Fig. 165), giving it a characteristic appearance. 

 Pupae also may die of this disease, in which case they too dry 

 down (Fig. 163, o, d), become ropy and have the character- 

 istic odor and color. The tongue frequently adheres to the 

 upper side wall and often remains there even after the pupa 



