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CHAPTER IV. 



COMB. 



WAX is a natural secretion of bees, and may be called 

 their oil or fat. When gorged with honey, or any liquid 

 sweet, if they remain quietly clustered together, it is 

 secreted in the shape of delicate scales, in small pouches 

 on their abdomen. (PI. XIIL, Figs. 37, 38.) Soon after 

 a swarm is hived, the bottom-board will usually be covered 

 with these scales. The bees seem to loosen them from 

 their bodies by violently shaking themselves as they stand 

 upon the combs. 



" Thus, filtered through yon flatterer's folded mail, 

 Clings the cooled wax, and hardens to a scale. 

 Swift, at the well-known call, the ready train 

 (For not a buz boon Nature breathes in vain) 

 Spring to each falling flake, and bear along 

 Their glossy burdens to the builder throng. 

 These with sharp sickle, or with sharper tooth, 

 Pare each excrescence, and each angle smoothe, 

 Till now, in finish'd pride, two radiant rows 

 Of snow white cells one mutual base disclose. 

 Six shining panels gird each polish'd round ; 

 The door's fine rim, with waxen fillet bound ; 

 While walls so thin, with sister walls combined, 

 Weak in themselves, a sure dependence find." 



EVANS. 



Most Apiarians before Huber's time supposed that wax 

 was made from bee-bread, either in a crude or digested 

 state. Confining a new swarm of bees to a hive in a dark 

 and cool room, at the end of five days he found 

 several beautiful white combs in their tenement; these 



