Hive-Bees. 119 



within the rings of the abdomen, and by actual experiment. 

 Huber and others fed bees entirely upon honey or sugar, and, 

 notwithstanding, wax was produced and combs formed as if 

 they had been at liberty to select their food. " When bees 

 were confined," says M. Huber, " for the purpose of discover- 

 ing whether honey was sufficient for the production of wax, 

 they supported their captivity patiently, and showed uncom- 

 mon perseverance in rebuilding their combs as we removed 

 them. Our experiments required the presence of grubs; 

 honey and water had to be provided ; the bees were to be 

 supplied with combs containing brood, and at the same time 

 it was necessary to confine them, that they might not seek 

 pollen abroad. Having a swarm by chance, which had be- 

 come useless from sterility of the queen, we devoted it for our 

 investigation in one of my leaf-hives, which was glazed on 

 both sides. We removed the queen, and substituted combs 

 containing eggs and young grubs, but no cell with farina ; 

 even the smallest particle of the substance which John 

 Hunter conjectured to be the basis of the nutriment of the 

 young was taken away. 



" Nothing remarkable occurred during the first and second 

 day : the bees brooded over the young, and seemed to take 

 an interest in them ; but at sunset on the third a loud noise 

 was heard in the hive. Impatient to discover the reason, we 

 opened a shutter, and saw all in confusion; the brood was 

 abandoned, the workers ran in disorder over the combs, 

 thousands rushed towards the lower part of the hive, and 

 those about the entrance gnawed at its grating. Their 

 design was not equivocal ; they wished to quit their prison. 

 Some imperious necessity evidently obliged them to seek 

 elsewhere what they could not find in the hive ; and apprehen- 

 sive that they might perish if I restrained them longer from 

 yielding to their instinct, I set them at liberty. The whole 

 swarm escaped, but the hour being unfavourable for their 

 collections, they flew around the hive, and did- not depart far 

 from it. Increasing darkness and the coolness of the air 

 compelled them very soon to return. Probably these cir- 

 cumstances calmed their agitation; for we observed them 



