286 THE BEE. 



newly hived ; for two days together, from the time of then- 

 quitting their former home, it rained constantly, insomuch 

 that not one bee was able to stir out during that time*; yet, 

 at the end of two days, they had made a comb fifteen or 

 sixteen inches long, and thick in proportion. The crude 

 wax, when brought home to the bees, is often, of as different 

 colors as are the flowers from which it is collected ; but the 

 new combs are always of a white color, which is after- 

 wards changed only by the impurities arising from the 

 steam, &c., of the bees. Bees collect crude wax, also, for 

 food ; for, if this was not the case, there would be no want 

 of wax after the combs are made; but they are observed, 

 even in old hives, to return in great numbers loaded with 

 such matter, which is deposited in particular cells, and is 

 known by the name of bee-bread. 



When a queen is .removed from a hive, the bees do not 

 immediately perceive it ; they continue their labors, " watch 

 over their young, and perform all their ordinary occupa- 

 tions. But, in a few hours, agitation ensues; all appears 

 a scene of tumult in the hive ; a singular humming is 

 heard ; the bees desert their young, and rush over the sur- 

 face of the combs with a delirious impetuosity." They 

 have now evidently discovered that their sovereign is gone ; 

 and the rapidity with which the bad news spreads through 

 the hive, to the opposite side of the combs, is very remark- 

 able. On replacing the queen in the hive, tranquility is 

 almost instantly restored. The bees, it is worthy of notice, 

 recognise the individual person of their own queen. If an- 

 other be palmed upon them, they seize and surround her, 

 so that she is either suffocated or perishes by hunger ; for 

 it is very remarkable, that the workers are never known to 

 attack a queen bee with their stings. If, however, more 

 than eighteen hours have elapsed before the stranger queen 

 be introduced, she has some chance to escape ; the bees at 

 first seize and confine her ; but less rigidly ; and they soon 

 begin to disperse, and at length leave her to reign over a 



