84 



INSECT MANUFACTURES. 



this operation the proboscis is sometimes flattened 



like a spatula, then like a trowel, at other times 



it is like a pencil, ter- 

 minating in a point. 

 The liquor mixed with 

 the wax gives it a 

 whiteness and ductility 

 which it had not before, 

 the object being to make 



it fit for working into any shape. 



The parcels of wax thus prepared are applied 



against the vault of the hive, the little builder 

 - arranging them in the direc- 



t'^^^^S 1 ^ 7 tion slie wisnes them to take : 

 when she has thus employed 



the whole plate that she had 

 separated from her body, she 



TiiE ROBOSCiS. 



LAYING FOUNDATION OF 

 CELL. 



takes a second, and proceeds 

 in the same manner. At length she leaves her 

 work, and is lost in the crowd of her companions. 

 Another succeeds, and resumes the employment ; 

 then a third : all follow the same plan of placing 

 their wax ; and if one by chance gives it a con- 



