38 AUSTRALASIAN BEE MANUAL 



it forms the bee-bread, which is indispensable to the 

 nourishment of the young bees, and without which, as 

 has been proved, no brood can be raised. It is very 

 rich in nitrogenous substances, which are necessary for 

 the formation and maintenance of muscular tissue, and 

 therefore to the development of the young bees. 



The grains of pollen, although so minute as to form 

 an almost impalpable dust, exhibit when viewed through 

 a powerful microscope very beautiful and distinctive 

 markings, according to the plants from which they 

 are obtained. Previous to Ruber's experiments, bee- 

 bread was supposed to be used in comb-building. He, 

 however, proved, as we have seen, that comb could 

 be built by the bees in confinement, by being fed with 

 honey or sugar syrup alone. He was not long in dis- 

 covering that pollen was used for the nourishment of 

 the young bees. Confining some bees to their hives 

 without pollen, he supplied them with larvae, honey, 

 and eggs. In a short time the young all died. A 

 fresh supply of brood being given them, with plenty of 

 pollen, the development of the larvae proceeded in the 

 natural way. 



PROPOLIS. 



This is a substance used by the bees for glueing 

 things together, and for stopping up all crevices in their 

 hives. In order to make it they gather the resinous 

 matter which exudes from some trees ; or when this is 

 scarce they will take varnish, or even tar. They carry 

 this substance home in their pollen baskets, and use it, 

 mixed with wax, wherever they want to fasten any 

 loose parts, or to fill up joints to exclude enemies or air. 

 They make a very liberal use of it at the end of the 

 honey season. It is a great nuisance in some districts. 



AXIOM. 



** The bee-keeper will ordinarily derive all his 

 profits from stocks strong and healthy in early 

 SPRING." Langstroth. 



