PROPOLIS. 379 



I have already observed, that the sage bee 

 chooses the morning for collecting pollen, on 

 account of the dew's enabling her to compress it 

 better ; but, as moisture would render propolis less 

 coherent, she gathers this substance when the day 

 is somewhat advanced, and when the warmth of the 

 sun has imparted to it softness and pliancy. These 

 qualities are however soon lost, after it has been 

 detached from the secreting surfaces, and exposed 

 to the oxygenizing power of the air. So rapid is 

 this hardening process, that the bees which store 

 it, oftentimes find some' difficulty in tearing it 

 with their jaws from the thighs of its collectors. 



