CHAPTEE IV. 



MANUFACTURE OF WAX BY THE HIVE BEE, THE HUMBLE BEE, AND 

 THE WHITE WAX INSECT OF CHINA. 



THE most notable insect manufacturer, after the 

 silkworm, is the common hive-bee, which is able 

 to produce three distinct substances, honey, wax, 

 and silk ; the first two only being useful to man- 

 kind. Persons who have never seen bees in any 

 other than their perfect state, and are unacquainted 

 with the internal economy of the hive, will learn 

 with surprise that the 

 first appearance of this 

 insect is that of a small 

 straight worm, which 

 rapidly increases in size 

 until it touches the sides 

 of the cell which forms its dwelling-place. It 



