HIVE BEES THEIR DISCIPLINE AND HARMONY. 205 



great an extent as among the ants, and even the workers 

 are separated into two classes, namely the architects and 

 the nurses. No longer do we find wasted space or 

 material, the latter being far too valuable to the insect. 

 The cells are wholly made of wax, a substance which is 

 not gathered from floAvers or trees, as many persons still 

 believe, but is in reality secreted by the insects them- 

 selves. 



On the under surface of the worker bee may be seen 

 six little flaps, and on lifting them up with the point of 



SECTION OF COMB. 



a needle the flaps disclose six tiny pockets. Within 

 these pockets the wax is secreted, forming small flakes 

 nearly semicircular in shape. Some time is required for 

 the development of the wax scales, and during that time 

 the bee requires to be at rest. By degrees the pockets 

 are filled, and when the wax flakes show themselves 

 outside the flaps the bee removes them with its jaws, 

 masticating them together, and then places the mass 

 where it will be wanted. 



The cells of the Hive Bee are placed nearly horizontally 



