COMB. 71 



verted into wax, these proportions are remarkably changed, 

 the wax containing only one pound of oxygen to more 

 than sixteen of hydrogen and carbon. Now as oxygen 

 is the grand supporter of animal heat, the large quantity 

 consumed in secreting wax aids in generating that extra- 

 ordinary heat which always accompanies comb-building, 

 and which enables the bees to mould the softened wax 

 into such exquisitely delicate and beautiful forms.* This 

 interesting instance of adaptation, so clearly pointing to 

 the Divine Wisdom, seems to have escaped the notice of 

 previous writers. 



Careful experiments prove that from thirteen to twenty 

 pounds of honey are required to make a single pound of 

 wax. As wax is an animal oil, secreted chiefly from honey, 

 this fact will not appear incredible to those who are aware 

 how many pounds of corn or hay must be fed to cattle to 

 have them gain a single pound of fat. 



Many bee-keepers are unaware of the value of empty 

 comb. Suppose honey to be worth only fifteen cents per 

 pound, and comb, when rendered into wax, to be worth 

 thirty cents, the Apiarian who melts a pound of comb 

 loses largely by the operation, even without estimating 

 the time his bees have consumed in building it. It should, 

 therefore, be considered a first principle in bee-culture 

 never to melt good combs. A strong stock of bees, in the 

 height of the honey-harvest, will fill them with very 

 great rapidity. 



Unfortunately, in the ordinary hives but little use can 

 be made of empty comb, unless it is new, and can be put 

 'into the surplus honey-boxes ; but by the use of bars, or 

 movable frames, every good piece of worker-comb may be 

 given to the bees. 



* According to Dr. Donhoff, the thickness of the sides of a cell In a new comb 

 Is only the one hundred and eightieth part of an Inch ! 



