THE HONEY-BEE. 133 



seem to attract the insect ; the viscous matter in them 

 had less consistence, and therefore did not suit its 

 purpose. The branches he used had heen cut for 

 some time. This last circumstance seems somewhat 

 unaccountable. It can be but seldom, generally 

 speaking, that the bees have it in their power to 

 gather propolis from cut branches ; whereas, in point 

 of fact, at the time when they most need that mate- 

 rial, we see them busied in hundreds on the growing 

 trees, and bringing it home in large quantities. 



The bees employ this substance in the commence- 

 ment of the structure of their combs, to attach them 

 more firmly to the foundation than could be effected 

 by wax alone, which is neither so tenacious, nor 

 attains to so great a degree of hardness. Indeed, it 

 possesses the former of these qualities to such a de- 

 gree, that the bees find some difficulty in detaching 

 the pellets from the baskets on their legs, and have 

 been observed availing themselves of the aid of their 

 companions for that purpose. And hence, aware of 

 its tenacity, they are observed gathering it only dur- 

 ing the heat of the day, when it is rendered more 

 ductile by the warmth. It is employed also in 

 attaching the edges of the combs to the sides of the 

 hive, where it forms a projection from the comb, and 

 serves the purpose of a point d* appui. Every Bee- 

 master is familiar with the use made of it in fastening 

 the hives to the floors. It is employed too in stop- 

 ping all crevices by which the winter's cold might get 

 access ; and, above all, it is specially employed as an 

 effective barrier against the intrusion of enemies. The 



