BEES-WAX. 367 



ently occupied. Bees not possessed of this ex- 

 panding stomach, gather no more honey than is 

 necessary to supply the immediate wants of them- 

 selves and their companions, with whom they 

 readily share it : these are called nursing-bees, 

 their principal duty being to attend the eggs and 

 larvae. The task of storing the hive with pro- 

 visions devolves upon the wax-workers, who, 

 when not occupied in the construction of comb, 

 disgorge their honey into those cells which are 

 intended for its reception. By marking the 

 bees, it was found that they never encroached 

 upon each other's employment : this strict adjust- 

 ment of duty is the more remarkable, since the 

 power of producing wax is common both to the 

 nursing- and wax-working bees, a small quantity 

 of wax being really found in the receptacles of 

 the nursing-bees. 



In the foregoing experiments for ascertaining 

 the sources of wax, the bees had borne their con- 

 finement without evincing the least impatience ; 

 but on another occasion, when shut up with a 

 brood of eggs and larvae, and without pollen, 

 though honey was copiously supplied, they mani- 

 fested uneasiness and rage at their imprisonment. 

 Fearing the consequence of this state of tumult 

 being prolonged,, Huber allowed them to escape 

 in the evening, when too late to collect provisions ; 



