THE HIVE BEE. 257 



Different purposes of the cells Propolis. 



^ , 



cell is defended bv a border, which makes the 



/ 



door a little less than the inside of the cell, which 

 serves to strengthen the whole. These cells serve 

 for different purposes; for laying up their young, 

 for their wax. and for their honev, which is their 



* V ' 



chief food. 



As the habitation of bees requires to be 

 close, what their hives want, from the neglig*. 

 or unskilfulness of man, these animals supply uy 

 their own industry: so that it is their principal 

 care, when first hived, to stop up all their cran- 

 nies. For this purpose, they make use of a re- 

 sinous gum, which is more tenacious than wax, 

 and differs greatly from it. This the ancients 

 called propolis: it will grow considerably hard in 

 June; though it will in some measure soften by 

 heat; and is often found different in consistence, 

 colour, and smell. It has generally an agreeable 

 aromatic odour when it is warmed; and by some 

 it is considered as a most grateful perfume. 

 When the bees begin to work with it, it is soft, 

 but it acquires a firmer consistence every day; 

 till at length it assumes a brown colour, and be- 

 comes much harder than wax. The bees carry 

 it on their hinder legs ; and some think it is met 

 with on the birch, the willow, and poplar. 



If examined through a glass hive, from the 

 hurry the whole swarm is in, the whole at first 

 appears like anarchy and confusion: but the 

 spectator soon finds every animal diligently em- 

 ployed, and following one pursuit, with a settlecj 



VOL. vi. NO. 44. 2 K 



