WAX-WORKERS 143 



Handbook for India, travellers visiting the caves 

 of Ellora and Ajanta are advised to supply them- 

 selves with " a pair of stout leather gauntlets 

 coming up above the wrist half-way to the elbow, 

 and a light wire-mask with a back-piece to protect 

 the back of the head and neck, many persons having 

 been so badly stung that in some cases death has 

 ensued." Attempts have been made to domesti- 

 cate the Dingar, but they have failed. 



So extensive a literature exists upon the Honey 

 Bee (Afis mellifica) that it would be idle to attempt 

 to enter into details of its economy here ; we will 

 only deal with it as a wax-worker. 



The production of this wax by the worker bees 

 does not go on whilst they are out collecting 

 honey or pollen, or whilst they are attending to 

 the brood in the hive. It is a distinct employ- 

 ment, and a number of workers appear to be 

 temporarily charged with this function apart from 

 other duties, and it takes them twenty-four hours 

 to produce the plates of crude wax. A peculiar 

 rite appears to be essential for the carrying out 

 of this wax production, though why it is necessary 

 is not evident. The bees have to hang in festoons 

 attached to each other by the feet only. When 

 wax is needed these festoons hang from the roof of 

 the hive wherever there is room for them. 



A festoon is formed in this wise : a couple of 

 bees station themselves apart, each clinging to the 

 roof by its fore feet only ; another bee will, with 

 its fore claws, cling to the hind claws of the first 



